A dangerous combination of record-breaking heat and dry, gusty winds is putting millions of Americans under a red flag warning this weekend, as meteorologists warn of ideal conditions for fast-moving wildfires across several states.
Why It Matters
A red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
What To Know
A wave of scorching temperatures and dangerously dry conditions is fueling a “critical” fire risk across the Southwest this weekend, with red flag warnings in effect for wide swaths of Arizona and New Mexico.
The NWS has issued multiple alerts warning of gusty winds-up to 40 mph in some areas-combined with single-digit humidity levels and parched vegetation that could ignite and spread wildfires rapidly.
The warnings span key fire weather zones, including the Tucson metro area, the White Mountains and large portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coronado National Forests, where conditions are expected to be at their most volatile from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday…