Full Notification

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY BETWEEN NOON AND 7PM FOR THE EAST CENTRAL PLAINS DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS BELOW SNOWPACK AND ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY... .Strong west to northwest winds will develop Wednesday across eastern New Mexico as an upper level trough departs the area. These strong winds in combination with high temperatures around 5 to 8 degrees above normal and daytime humidity values falling below 15 percent will yield critical fire weather conditions for several hours across the East Central Plains. Winds will decrease Wednesday evening, easing the concern for critical fire weather conditions. However, strong southwest winds will return on Thursday nearly areawide. Humidity values will fall between 15 and 20 percent from the middle Rio Grande Valley eastward to the Texas border, resulting in critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch...which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.

* AREA AND TIMING...This includes the Northeast Highlands and Plains (Zones 103 and 104), Middle Rio Grande Valley (Zone 106), Sandia and Manzano Mountains (Zone 124) below snowpack, and Central Highlands (Zone 125).

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values between 12 and 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTHEAST PLAINS ... MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY ... NORTHEAST HIGHLANDS ... SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS ... CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Instructions:

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Fire Weather Watch.