New Mexico
Critical to Extremely Critical Fire Weather expected in much of New Mexico and parts of Texas, Colorado, and eastern Arizona
Temperatures across the Central and Southern Plains are forecast to reach between 27°C and 37°C (80°F to 99°F), representing anomalies of 11°C to 17°C (20°F to 30°F) above seasonal norms. This warming is driven by a strong upper ridge positioned over the central part of the country, which is channeling warm southerly air into the region.
As the upper ridge gradually shifts eastward, an amplifying upper-level system over the Four Corners region is expected to move east as well. This pattern will bring very dry air and strong winds into the Southern High Plains beginning late this week, further increasing the potential for wildfires.
As a result, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a series of Critical to Extremely Critical Fire Weather Outlooks for the region beginning today and extending into the weekend.
A critical fire weather area has been designated for parts of eastern Arizona and much of New Mexico, valid April 16, where ongoing dry and windy conditions will increase fire risk.
Across eastern Arizona, New Mexico, and into the southern High Plains, moderate wind speeds of 24–40 km/h (15–25 mph) are expected throughout the afternoon, with the strongest winds anticipated in eastern Arizona and New Mexico.
Relative humidity values will range from 10–15%, with some local areas experiencing values as low as 5–10%, creating an environment conducive to wildfire ignition and spread.
In the Central High Plains, specifically in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming, downslope winds of 24–32 km/h (15–20 mph) are expected during the afternoon, while relative humidity may drop to between 10–20%, supporting elevated fire weather conditions.
In the Mid-Missouri Valley, southerly to southeasterly winds reaching 24–32 km/h (15–20 mph) are forecast from late morning into the mid-afternoon.
While there is significant uncertainty regarding afternoon humidity levels due to varying model predictions about cloud cover, dry fuels in the region could support locally elevated fire weather risks.
An extremely critical fire weather area has been issued for parts of central to northeast New Mexico for April 17, while a broader critical area extends from southeastern Arizona into parts of the southern High Plains.
A significant fire weather event is expected in much of New Mexico, where surface winds of 40–64 km/h (25–40 mph) are likely, with gusts reaching 80–97 km/h (50–60 mph) in some areas. Ongoing severe drought has left the region’s fuels at or above the 90th percentile in terms of combustibility. Afternoon relative humidity levels are expected to fall to 5–10%, increasing the likelihood of extreme fire behavior.
Relative humidity values around 10% are forecast for the southern High Plains—including eastern Colorado, western and central Kansas, and the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. Wind speeds will range from 32–48 km/h (20–30 mph), with the strongest winds expected in northwest Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, southeast Colorado, and far southwest Kansas.
Critical fire weather will occur where the strongest winds overlap with sufficiently dry fuels.
Although parts of the Texas Panhandle and South Plains have not been included in the critical area due to greenup reducing fuel receptiveness, several hours of elevated to critical fire weather are anticipated in surrounding regions.
The northward extent of fire weather risks will be limited by a southward-moving cold front that will bring shifting winds and increased humidity to northeast Colorado and northwest Kansas.
References:
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – April 16, 2025
2 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook – NWS/SPC – April 16, 2025
3 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook – NWS/SPC – April 16, 2025
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tanya Tucker will perform at the 2026 New Mexico State Fair, officials announced Tuesday.
Tucker will take to the stage Friday, Sept. 18, after the Chevron PRCA rodeo. The Grammy Award-winning icon has racked up 10 No. 1 country hits since her first hit, “Delta Dawn,” at age 13.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the legendary Tanya Tucker to the New Mexico State Fair,” said Dan Mourning, general manager of the New Mexico State Fair. “Tanya is one of the greatest icons in country music history and is the perfect fit for the Fair.”
Tucker has 23 Top-40 albums and 56 Top 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has won two Country Music Association awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, three CMT Awards and two Grammys for Best Country Album and Best Country Song.
Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m.
Here is the full 2026 New Mexico State Fair rodeo-concert lineup:
Friday, Sept. 11
Turnpike Troubadours with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Saturday, Sept. 12
Ian Munsick with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Wednesday, Sept. 16
Chevron PRCA Standalone Rodeo
Thursday, Sept. 17
Everclear with Chevron PRCA Rodeo
Friday, Sept. 18
Tanya Tucker with Chevron PRCA Rodeo
Saturday, Sept. 19
The Warning with Chevron PRCA Rodeo
Sunday, Sept. 20
Chevron PRCA Rodeo – Matinee
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State investigators began searching a secluded ranch in New Mexico on Monday where financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once entertained guests amid allegations that the property may have been used for sexual abuse and sex trafficking of young women.
The office of state Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced that the search was being done with the cooperation of the current ranch owners.
Torrez last month reopened an investigation of the ranch. New Mexico’s initial case was closed in 2019 at the request of federal prosecutors in New York, and state prosecutors say now that “revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination.”
Epstein purchased the sprawling Zorro Ranch in Stanley, New Mexico, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Santa Fe, in 1993 from former Democratic Gov. Bruce King and built a hilltop mansion with a private runway.
The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 — with proceeds going toward creditors — to the family of Don Huffines, a candidate in Texas for state comptroller who won the Republican primary last week.
“The New Mexico Department of Justice appreciates the cooperation of the current property owners,” the agency said in a statement. Prosecutors “will continue to keep the public appropriately informed, support the survivors, and follow the facts wherever they lead.”
Additionally, New Mexico state legislators have established a new commission to look into past activities at the ranch.
Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls.
Epstein never faced charges in New Mexico, but the state attorney general’s office in 2019 confirmed that it had interviewed possible victims who visited Epstein’s ranch.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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