Weather Alerts For Mescalero, NM

# HEADLINE -------------------- CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY, AND ESPECIALLY SUNDAY FOR SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO, AND ADDITIONALLY WEST TEXAS ON SUNDAY RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT SATURDAY FOR FOR CRITICALLY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, STRONG WINDS, AND DRY FUELS FOR THE SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS, AND THE SACRAMENTO AND CAPITAN MOUNTAINS RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MDT SUNDAY FOR FOR CRITICALLY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, STRONG WINDS, AND DRY FUELS FOR THE SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS, SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL LOWLANDS, AND THE SACRAMENTO AND CAPITAN MOUNTAINS # SUMMARY -------------------- .A Pacific storm system, passing though the southwest and over the Four Corners region will keep our are dry, and increase the winds this weekend. This will elevate fire danger to Critical across Southwest and South Central New Mexico, as well as Far West Texas. Wind gusts, from the southwest, will increase up to 40 mph Saturday, and up to 50 mph or greater Sunday. Minimum relative humidity will range from 10-15 percent lowlands to 15-20 percent mountains. Widespread tree mortality and die back fuels will increase the wildfire risk as ERCs climb to 85-90 percentile. The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has issued a Red Flag Warning for Southwest and South Central New Mexico, which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Sunday. # DETAILS -------------------- AFFECTED AREA New Mexico Fire Weather Zones 110, 111, 112, and 113, including the Southwest Mountains and Gila NF, the Southwest Deserts and Lowlands, the South Central Lowlands, the Southern Rio Grande Valley, and the Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. TIMING winds both days increasing after 10 am, and peaking in middle to late afternoon. WINDS Southwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 35 mph Saturday. Increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts 40 to 45 mph Sunday. RELATIVE HUMIDITY 8 to 15 percent. TEMPERATURES Up to 84. EXPERIMENTAL RFTI 4 to 7, Near Critical to Critical. IMPACTS any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended ISSUED AT Friday, April 24, 2026 at 12:15 PM MDT ISSUED BY National Weather Service El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM HEADER URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE # PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS -------------------- 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. # AREAS AFFECTED -------------------- Capitan and Sacramento Mountains/Lincoln NF/LNZ, South Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande Valley/BLM/GLZ, Southwest Deserts and Lowlands/Las Cruces BLM/GLZ, Southwest Mountains/Gila NF/Apache NF/GLZ

Pollen Index: 9 Pollen Level: medium-high Predominant Pollen: Poplar/Aspen/Cottonwood, Cedar/Juniper and Oak. Based on past pollen counts and expected weather conditions, pollen levels for Saturday will remain stable in the high range. Pollen producing plants are at a relatively steady level of pollination at this time.