Critical Fire Risk in West Texas, New Mexico

news image
Top Stories
27 Apr 2024 9:00 PM

A critical fire risk is in place for west Texas, eastern Colorado, and New Mexico through the weekend as gusty winds and dry grasses and low humidity create a dangerous situation. If a spark were to start, these are the conditions where rapid, life-threatening fire growth would be possible. Humidity values will be in the teens, meaning there will be no moisture in our atmosphere to help taper fire growth.

Gusty winds are anticipated on Sunday, especially through New Mexico and West Texas. Winds could gust up to 40 mph unlike Saturday where gusts reached near 60s mph in Southern New Mexico. If a flame starts, it will move as quickly as the winds, at about 40 mph. We can't stress enough how critical this weekend's fire risk is.

Drought conditions are extreme and exceptional for southern New Mexico, while most of the region is experiencing moderate drought. Northern New Mexico and SW Texas are experiencing pockets of severe drought (level 3 out of 5).

All Weather News
More
East Coast Snow? What We Know About the Late Week System

East Coast Snow? What We Know About the Late Week System

Ready for the first snow of the season? While

7 Nov 2026 7:35 PM
Heavy Rain Brings Flooding Concerns to Northeast as Storm System Moves East

Heavy Rain Brings Flooding Concerns to Northeast as Storm System Moves East

The same system that has produced unsettled w

7 Nov 2026 7:30 PM
Texas Flood Threat This Weekend

Texas Flood Threat This Weekend

A strong trough of low pressure moving throug

7 Nov 2026 7:20 PM
Tropics Update: Pena Forms In The Central Pacific;One Area in the Atlantic Basin

Tropics Update: Pena Forms In The Central Pacific;One Area in the Atlantic Basin

Hurricane season isn’t over yet. The National

7 Nov 2026 7:05 PM
Atmospheric River Setup for the Northwest

Atmospheric River Setup for the Northwest

The calendar has now turned to month of Novem

7 Nov 2026 3:00 AM
Flash Flood Emergency For Parts of Georgia and Tennessee

Flash Flood Emergency For Parts of Georgia and Tennessee

Residences along the Ocoee (TN) and Toccoa (G

5 Nov 2026 1:50 PM
Torrential Downpours Batter the Sunshine State

Torrential Downpours Batter the Sunshine State

Florida has seen heavy rainfall and lots of f

5 Nov 2026 11:05 AM