Tucson, Arizona – Wildfire danger will spike sharply across southern Arizona by 1 p.m. Thursday as 40 mph wind gusts and humidity levels near 10 percent combine to create explosive fire conditions through the evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Tucson, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday for Fire Weather Zones 151, 152 and 154, covering Santa Cruz County, extreme eastern Pima County, western and eastern Cochise County, southern Greenlee County below 5,000 feet, and the Sky Islands above 5,500 feet, including the Coronado National Forest. Southwest to west winds will sustain at 20 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching 40 mph.
These conditions mean any spark could spread rapidly across dry grasslands and forested terrain. Open burning is strongly discouraged, and residents should avoid activities that generate sparks, including towing chains that drag or using outdoor equipment during peak wind hours.
Communities from Sierra Vista to Nogales and areas near the San Carlos Reservation face the highest risk during the midafternoon to early evening window, when winds peak and humidity bottoms out. Fire crews across Southeast Arizona are on heightened alert as vegetation remains critically dry.
The warning expires at 8 p.m. Thursday, but elevated fire danger could persist if dry and breezy conditions continue into the weekend. Additional alerts are possible if winds strengthen beyond current projections.
