...RED FLAG WARNING THURSDAY FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM MDT FOR THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WEST CENTRAL BASIN AND RANGE, AND ALONG AND EAST OF THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN DUE TO STRONG WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY...
.Westerly winds in the upper levels will increase over New Mexico through Thursday, while a surface trough redevelops in the lee of the southern Rockies. This will result in widespread west and northwest wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph with higher gusts up to 55 mph over the central to northeastern highlands. Humidity will also plummet Thursday afternoon. Outside of the warned area, locally critical fire weather conditions are likely today, especially in the northwest mountains and near the Arizona border.
* AREA AND TIMING...Northeast Plains (Zone 104), Upper Rio Grande Valley and Lower Chama River Valley (Zone 121), Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Zone 122), Northeast Highlands (Zone 123), Central Highlands (Zone 124), and the East Central Plains (Zone 126) Thursday from 9 AM to 8 PM MDT.
* 20 FOOT WINDS...West and northwest winds 20 to 35 mph, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph. Strongest gusts will occur over the higher terrain areas.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum values of 6 to 15 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field of this Red Flag Warning.
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