Extremely Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions Today!




High - Low Humidity Values Yesterday-

Dunken Raws 8% - 2%
8-Mile Draw Raws 7% - 3%
Roswell Airport 17% - 0%
Artesia Airport 7% - 2%
Bat Draw Raws 4% - 1%
Caprock Raws 3% - 2%
Carlsbad Airport 9% - 2%
Queen Raws 7% - 0%

Tatum 11% - 3%
Paduca Raws 12% - 3%
Sierra Blanca Regional Airport 11% - 4%
Smokey Bear Raws 12% - 2%
Cosmic Raws 11% - 3%
Mayhill 17% - 1%
Sacramento Peak 11% - 3%

Last Friday afternoon a few high based dry thunderstorms formed west-northwest of Artesia. As these storms moved off to the east, the dry lightning and gusty winds started the Crooked Creek Complex Fire 15 miles northwest of Hope. See the post below for more details on this.

As you already know it has been incredibly dry the past couple of days with relative humidity values plummeting across the state. My Davis Vantage Pro2 Home Weather Station has measured a relative humidity value of 0% for the past two days here in Carlsbad. Dew point and temperature spreads of 60 - 140 degrees were measured across the state yesterday afternoon.

An upper level storm moving across northern New Mexico today into Wednesday will produce more hot, dry, and windy weather across SE NM. A Wind Advisory is in effect for Chaves-Eddy-Lea Counties today. Southwesterly winds are forecast to be sustained at around 25-35 mph with gusts in the neighborhood of 45-50 mph.

Areas of blowing dust may develop this afternoon as well. Our afternoon high temps are forecast to range from the mid 90's to near 100. Blast furnace weather returns once again.

Extremely Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions are forecast nearly state-wide today. Any wild fire that may develop will have the potential to quickly spread and grow in the high winds. Please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame.

CROOKED CREEK COMPLEX FIRE – Fire Update 5/9/11 7:00 am


For Immediate Release:

Crooked Creek Complex Fire Information – (575) 361-3404
Monday, May 9th, 2011, 8:00 AM

Team PIOs Joel Arnwine or La Dawn Saxton

Acres: 16,578
Start Date: May 6th 2011
Cause: Lightning
Location: 15 miles northwest of Hope, NM
Containment: 30 percent
Fuels: Brush and grass
Terrain: Steep and Rugged
Resources: 7 crews, 19 engines, 2 water tenders
Total personnel: 222
Structures: No Structures threatened/No Evacuations

Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico State Forestry (NMSF), and private land.

Fuel Type: Grass and Brush

Fire Behavior: The fire is burning in very steep, rugged terrain. Moderate to high winds were observed today, with hot, dry weather and other environmental factors which posed challenges for firefighters.

A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEST NEW MEXICO, DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND VERY LOW HUMIDITY.

Summary: Today crews will focus on mop up of the fire line to ensure containment of the fire. The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remain in place over the fire as Aircraft are assisting firefighting operations as needed. Air resources include air tankers, a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft (air attack) providing aerial reconnaissance and fire suppression support.

Resources: The Type III Incident Command Organization led by Eddie Tudor continues to manage the fire suppression activities. Approximately 222 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. Resources from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, New Mexico State Forestry, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and area volunteer fire departments are involved in the firefighting activities.
10,614 acres are burning on the BLM, 5,890 acres on State Land and Private Land.

Structures Threatened: None Closures: None

Fire Restrictions are in effect on Bureau of Land Management lands which ban any type of open burning. Open Burning Restrictions are also in effect on State and Private Lands throughout New Mexico.For more information on the BLM restriction please visit http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/info/newsroom/2011/april/fire_restrictions.html

CROOKED CREEK COMPLEX FIRE – Fire Update 5/8/11 8:00 pm


For Immediate Release:
Crooked Creek Complex Fire Information – (575) 361-3404Sunday, May 8th, 2011, 7:00 PM Team PIOs Joel Arnwine or La Dawn Saxton
Acres: 16,578 Start Date: May 6th 2011
Cause: Lightning Location: 15 miles northwest of Hope, NM
Containment: 30 percent Fuels: Brush and grass
Terrain: Steep and Rugged Resources: 7 crews, 19 engines, 2 water tenders
Total personnel: 222 Structures: No Structures threatened/No Evacuations

Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico State Forestry (NMSF), and private land.
Fuel Type: Grass and Brush

Fire Behavior: The fire is burning in very steep, rugged terrain. Moderate to high winds were observed today, with hot, dry weather and other environmental factors which posed challenges for firefighters.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1AM MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SOUTHEST NEW MEXICO, DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY.

Summary: Crews continue to work the fire line to ensure that the fire remains in containment lines, and conducting burn out operations as needed. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire, and Aircraft are assisting firefighting operations as needed on the fire.


Resources: Type III Incident Command Organization led by Eddie Tudor is overseeing fire suppression activities. Approximately 222 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. Resources from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, New Mexico State Forestry, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and area volunteer fire departments, air tankers, a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft (air attack) providing aerial reconnaissance; firefighters continue direct attack, and burning out when necessary.
10,614 acres are burning on the BLM, 5,890 acres on State Land and Private Land.
Structures Threatened: None Closures: None

Fire Restrictions are in effect on Bureau of Land Management, and Open Burning Restrictions are in effect on State and Private Lands.

The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!

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