Two wildfires, the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire, are currently raging through thousands of acres in southern New Mexico, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. The fires experienced significant growth on Monday due to wind gusts reaching up to 59 mph in some areas, with widespread gusts of 25 to 35 mph.
The combination of dry air and high winds has made it challenging for firefighters to contain the blazes, leading to concerns about further spread. The risk of fire expansion remains high on Tuesday, with wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph forecasted.
Looking ahead, the situation is expected to worsen as winds are predicted to strengthen on Wednesday, with frequent gusts of 30 to 40 mph and the possibility of gusts up to 50 mph. These extreme wind conditions could result in erratic fire behavior and increased fire activity.
While Thursday will continue to be breezy, there is a glimmer of hope for firefighters as a pattern change is anticipated. Showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for southern New Mexico from Thursday through Saturday, bringing much-needed moisture that could help slow down the spread of the fires.
However, the potential for lightning strikes accompanying the storms poses a new risk, as they could ignite additional fires in the region. Fire crews remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the situation to protect lives and property in the affected areas.
