Red Flag Warnings Point to High Fire Danger for Parts of New Mexico

Forecasters with the National Weather Service are warning that parts of New Mexico are in for more windy conditions later this week and that means higher fire danger.

They say a deep low pressure system in the Great Basin will result in strong southwest winds across northern and central New Mexico. Gusts could range from 50 to 70 mph Thursday afternoon.

Red flag warnings have been issued for the areas through Thursday evening.

The warnings came as firefighters in Albuquerque doused flames that broke out in the dry wooded area along the Rio Grande on the city’s south side Tuesday afternoon.

Officials say conditions are dry as the latest map shows more than three-quarters of the state are dealing with severe to extreme drought.