Red Flag Warnings Raised in 7 States

Fire Disaster Recipe:  Strong Winds and Low Humidity

RED FLAG WARNINGS are in effect in parts of Texas New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah and Oklahoma as both strong wind and low Humidity worsen across the region, NWS said.

“A low pressure system over the Great Basin will dig slowly southeastward toward New Mexico, today. Strong winds aloft will initially push over western New Mexico, gradually spreading to most areas. These strong winds aloft will combine with a deepening area of low pressure at the surface, leading to very windy conditions. In addition, dry conditions will precede the storm system with relative humidities ranging from the upper single digits to mid teens across much of the area.”

Critical Fire Weather conditions are expected from late Monday morning into Monday evening, across the region.

• Wind: Southwesterly sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph; with gusts up to 60 mph
• Relative Humidity: 10 to 15 percent
• Impacts: Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly

U.S. Weather Hazards Map – April 8, 2013. Source: NWS/CRH/NOAA