Midland, Texas – Southwest winds gusting to 60 mph will combine with humidity as low as 12 percent to create explosive fire conditions across southeast New Mexico and West Texas by late Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. CST to 8 p.m. CST Tuesday for Gaines County, the Southeast New Mexico Plains, Upper Trans Pecos, Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor, Davis Mountains and the Marfa Plateau. Sustained southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph are expected, with higher gusts capable of rapidly spreading any fire that starts.
Communities including Seminole, Hobbs, Carlsbad, Van Horn, Marfa and Fort Davis face near-critical fire weather, with a Fire Weather Watch already posted from late Wednesday morning through early Wednesday evening as winds remain strong and humidity stays below 15 percent.
Officials strongly discourage outdoor burning. Secure trailer chains, avoid parking on dry grass and delay activities that could create sparks. Fire crews warn that any ignition could spread quickly across open rangeland and oilfield corridors.
The Red Flag Warning expires at 8 p.m. Tuesday, but elevated fire danger may redevelop Wednesday as another round of gusty winds moves through the region.
