Red Flag Warnings Issued for Torrance County Through Thursday Due to Fire Weather Conditions
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued consecutive Red Flag Warnings for central and northern New Mexico, including Torrance County and the Mountainair area, due to increasingly dangerous fire weather conditions. The first warning is in effect from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM MDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, followed by a second warning from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM MDT on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Both warnings cite a hazardous combination of gusty southwest winds and low relative humidity that significantly increase the risk of wildfires. On Wednesday, winds are expected to reach 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, while relative humidity will fall between 5% and 11%. On Thursday, conditions will intensify, with winds escalating to 25 to 35 mph and gusts ranging from 50 to 60 mph, and humidity levels plummeting to 4% to 10%.
This multi-day weather pattern presents a high fire danger for the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, including the Estancia Valley and Mountainair. According to forecasters, these dry and windy conditions are being driven by strengthening southwest flow across the state. The situation is made worse by single-digit humidity and above-average temperatures, which contribute to extremely receptive fire fuels such as dry grasses and brush.
Residents of Torrance County are urged to take all necessary precautions to prevent fire ignition. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and extreme caution should be taken with activities that may create sparks, such as welding, grinding, or using heavy machinery. Fire officials warn that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and may be difficult to control under these conditions.
The Red Flag Warnings replace earlier Fire Weather Watches and extend a pattern of critical fire weather that may persist into Friday, as strong southwest winds are forecast to continue.
For ongoing updates and detailed forecasts, residents should consult the National Weather Service Albuquerque office. To receive emergency notifications, sign up with Torrance County’s Department of Emergency Management Code Red system.