Full Notification

...RED FLAG WARNING FROM 12 TO 8 PM MDT SATURDAY EAST OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS, ALONG AND EAST OF THE SANDIA AND MANZANO MOUNTAINS, AND ACROSS WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE DUE TO GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY VALUES... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FROM 1 TO 7 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY... .A disturbance crossing the central Rockies will strengthen the flow aloft over New Mexico on Saturday, while a potent surface trough develops in the lee of the southern Rockies. As a result, southwest wind gusts are forecast to peak around 35 to 45 mph on Saturday afternoon with the strongest gusts along I-40 from Clines Corners to the Texas border and across far west central NM, including Gallup. These winds combined with minimum relative humidity values in the upper single digits to low teens and extremely dry fuels will result in rapid fire spread. In the wake of the disturbance, wind speeds will weaken briefly Saturday night, then strengthen again across the Central Highlands on Sunday, where rapid fire spread is once again possible. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has upgraded the Fire Weather Watch to Red Flag Warning...which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch from 1 PM to 7 PM MDT Sunday remains in effect.

* AREA AND TIMING...Central Highlands (Zone 125) from 12-8 PM Saturday and from 1-7 PM Sunday.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph both afternoons.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10-12 percent Saturday, then 10-14 percent Sunday.

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

* AFFECTED AREAS: CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Instructions:

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