The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued red flag warnings across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado for Saturday, with some warnings extending into Sunday and Monday.
These warnings indicate "critical fire weather conditions" due to strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures that can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Why It Matters
Any fires that develop under these conditions can spread rapidly, posing significant threats to communities, property, and natural resources.
The warnings cover extensive areas across the four states, putting millions of residents at risk during what appears to be developing into a dangerous fire weather pattern.
What To Know
A "fire growing pattern" is expected to commence on Saturday through the week, with breezy to windy conditions developing each day.
In Texas, the warnings cover numerous counties including El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Reeves, Pecos, and extensive areas of West Texas and the Panhandle. The Texas warnings indicate southwest winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts up to 35 mph and humidity levels dropping as low as 8-9 percent, creating extreme fire danger conditions with an RFTI (Red Flag Threat Index) of 5-7 in some areas.
New Mexico faces critical conditions across multiple regions including the Northeast Plains, East Central Plains, Central Highlands, and the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. The state will see southwest winds of 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph and humidity levels of 9-16 percent. Fire weather watches extend through Monday for several areas, with conditions potentially worsening early next week.
Oklahoma's western regions are under warning, with southwest winds of 15-20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. Relative humidity could drop to as low as 10 percent, with temperatures climbing to 94 degrees in some areas, creating particularly dangerous conditions.
Colorado has issued warnings for the San Luis Valley, Huerfano County, and Western Las Animas County, with southwest winds of 15-25 mph gusting to 40 mph today. A fire weather watch is also in effect for Monday, when west winds are expected to strengthen to 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.
This pattern is forming in response to an active storm track just north of New Mexico and a persistent surface trough in the lee of the southern Rockies.
Key conditions contributing to the fire risk include:
- Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30-40 mph in many areas
- Relative humidity as low as 7-11 percent across the region
- High temperatures climbing to around 8 degrees above 30-year averages today and Monday
- Critically dry fuels across the affected regions
What People Are Saying
National Weather Service in a statement: "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will contribute to extreme fire behavior."
It added: "Avoid the use of open flames or any activities that may generate sparks. Extinguish smoking material in vehicles. Accidental ignitions will have the potential to grow into dangerous wind-driven wildfires."
Heath Hockenberry, the NWS national fire weather program manager, told Newsweek previously: "Red Flag Warnings are 'fire environment' products that combine weather conditions and also fuel conditions. The fuel conditions include how dry the vegetation is and how effectively the fuels can burn."
What Happens Next?
Fire weather watches are in place for Sunday and Monday in several areas as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and may extend or upgrade warnings as conditions develop.
Residents in affected areas should stay informed about local fire restrictions and be prepared to act quickly in case of emergency.
