Extremely Critical Fire Risk & Strong Wind Gusts for Monday – Far Western Texas, Eastern New Mexico & Northern Chihuahua Mexico - Update #1…

Issued: 7:15 AM MST | Monday March 3, 2025

• To provide an update on the threat of Extreme Fire Weather & strong wind gusts for today in eastern New Mexico and far west Texas and to expand the threat into northern Chihuahua Mexico.

Area At Risk for Extremely Critical Fire Conditions & Strong Wind Gusts:

• Far western Texas, eastern New Mexico, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico 

Timing:

• Late this morning through this evening

Threat:

• Extremely Critical Fire Weather Conditions would support the extremely rapid and uncontrolled expansion of a wild/grass fire should one develop.

• Gusty winds blowing generally from southwest to northeast would support rapid forward spread/motion northeastward of where the fire develops.

Additional Details:

• Winds of 30-40 mph with gusts up to 55-65 mph blowing towards the northeast. 

• A Critical Fire Weather Risk of lesser threat surrounds the Extremely Critical Risk region across much of central New Mexico and western Texas and the Texas Panhandle. This lesser threat of Critical Fire Weather conditions will continue across much of eastern New Mexico and far western Texas on Tuesday. 

• Very rapid fire spread could quickly threaten structures depending on the relative proximity to the fire and especially if the locations are east to northeast of the fire as the gusty winds will support fire growth towards the northeast.

• Quick evacuations with very short notices/lead-times are possible in areas downwind of a wildfire should one develop.

• Temporarily closed roads can be expected due to dense smoke and/or firefighting efforts.

• Activities that generate sparks or flames, such as grass mowing or other lawncare activities, should be discouraged or limited to prevent fire ignition.

• Where wind gusts exceed 60 mph, winds may potentially down trees and power lines, resulting in isolated power outages.

• These strong wind gusts will also result in slowed to difficult travel for high-profile and/or lightweight vehicles, blow around or loft lightweight and/or unsecured objects, and produce areas of blowing dust which may significantly reduce visibility and slow travel.

• Conditions are expected to improve some tonight through most of Tuesday as the wind gusts lessen slightly and a more limited threat of only Critical Fire Weather Conditions is expected on Tuesday. Conditions will further improve Tuesday night into Wednesday as the winds diminish and relative humidity increases.  

• We will continue to closely monitor this threat and will issue an update should significant changes in the forecast warrant.

• Should a new fire develop and threaten locations, Early Alert Situational Awareness reports and/or Short Fused Alerts will be issued with event-specific information.