Latest news with #GailFire
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
6 million under red flag warnings as extreme fire danger increases in Southwest
More than 6 million people in multiple states across the Southwest and South Plains are under red flag warnings Thursday as strong winds and warm temperatures are forecast to increase wildfire threats. Firefighters in New Mexico, West Texas, Colorado, eastern Arizona, central Kansas and parts of Oklahoma are among the states bracing for critical to extreme threats of wildfires erupting and rapidly spreading. The entire state of New Mexico is under red flag warnings, including the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, which were both under critical threat of fire danger Thursday morning. Other cities in New Mexico that are under extreme risk of wildfires erupting include Silver City, Deming, Los Lunas and Socorro. "Extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected across much of New Mexico today due to very strong winds combined with a dry airmass," the National Weather Service office in Albuquerque said in a statement posted on social media. The NWS said critical fire weather conditions across central and eastern New Mexico will stretch into Friday. Extremely low relative humidity, ranging 5% to 15%, combined with winds forecast to gust between 45 and 65 mph or higher, could cause any new fires to spread rapidly, officials said. Much of New Mexico continues to battle severe to extreme drought conditions, which will also exacerbate the fire threat. The extreme warning means a "threat to life and property from existing or potential wildfires due to weather and fuel conditions," according to the NWS. Several wildfires have already erupted across New Mexico this year, including one that ignited in the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico last week. Firefighters responded to the blaze quickly and managed to keep it from spreading beyond three acres, officials said. On March 19, several wildfires broke out across New Mexico, including the Gail Fire west of the town of Mayhill that burned 235 acres, officials said. MORE: Wildfires turn deadly in New Mexico as firefighters also work to contain California blazes "We've been saying that this year's fire season will potentially be early and significant, and here we are," Forest Fire Management Officer Brent Davidson of the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico said in a statement earlier this month. "Wildfires do not stop at property boundaries and we hope this puts into focus how important it is for everyone to prepare. Whether you have 10 minutes or 10 hours, you can do something to get ready for wildfire." Raging wildfires also broke out in Oklahoma last month, leaving four people dead and more than 140 injured, according to the state's medical examiner. The multiple Oklahoma fires erupted amid gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation. More than 400 homes and structures were destroyed and at least 170,000 acres burned across the state of Oklahoma. ABC News' Shawnie Caslin Martucci contributed to this report. 6 million under red flag warnings as extreme fire danger increases in Southwest originally appeared on
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire in Otero County now 25% contained, not a threat to buildings
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Gail Fire, burning in Otero County, New Mexico, is now 25 percent contained and more accurate mapping has reduced the fire's size to 108 acres, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division on Friday, March 21. The fire was discovered on Tuesday afternoon March 18 and is located 2 miles west of Mayhill, New Mexico. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the Forestry Division said. The threat to any structures has passed, the Forestry Division said. They also said this would be the last update they would release to the media unless something significant happens. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire warnings continue in parts of the country as strong winds persist
Powerful winds and wildfire warnings persist in several states, with some areas still fighting existing flames, as a new cross-country storm emerges in the Pacific Northwest on Friday. Red flag warnings are in place for areas in the Southwest, including New Mexico and north-central Texas, where wind gusts will reach up to 40 mph on Friday paired with a relative humidity down to 10%. Firefighters have continued to battle the Gail Fire in New Mexico, which has burned 238 acres and is 10% contained, officials said on Thursday. The southern half of Missouri and northern half of Arkansas also face red flag warnings on Friday, with wind gusts up to 45 mph and a relative humidity of 20% to 25%. According to the Arkansas Forestry Division, 96 wildfires statewide have been contained, but four new wildfires are active. 'We are mobilizing all resources and working closely with local, state and federal partners,' the forestry division said in a statement on Friday. MORE: Residents told to 'leave now' as wildfires threaten Oklahoma towns Southeast Florida also remains under fire weather alerts, with red flag warnings in place from Orlando to Stuart and elevated fire dangers from West Palm Beach down to Miami. The humidity will be as low as 20% in these parts of the state, creating ideal conditions for existing fires to spread. In Miami-Dade County, a fire has burned 25,000 acres and is 30% contained, officials said. It is burning in largely unoccupied parts of the Everglades. Along with the threat of wildfires, other parts of the country will experience frigid temperatures, with central Mississippi, nearly all of Alabama and most of Georgia under frost and freeze warnings on Friday. As the weekend progresses, a new cross-country storm will bring strong winds to the Midwest, heavy snow to the North and severe storms to the South. The storm will begin with rain and mountain snow throughout the Pacific Northwest on Friday. Oregon is expected to be hit with 10 inches of snow in the mountains during the day and into the evening Friday. Idaho and western Montana should expect 8 to 16 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday morning. By Sunday, strong to severe winds of up to 40 to 60 mph are expected across the Great Plains and upper Midwest, creating a threat for dust storms, ground blizzards and the destruction of power lines and trees. Wildfire warnings continue in parts of the country as strong winds persist originally appeared on
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires erupt as strong winds continue to hit parts of the country
More than 24 million Americans are under wildfire warnings due to strong winds on Thursday, posing a threat to existing fires in several states, and as a powerful storm moves toward the Northeast. A wildfire was reported burning within the Sam Houston National Forested in San Jacinto County, Texas, on Wednesday evening. The fire, named the Pauline Road Fire, has grown to 2,000 acres with only 10% containment as of Thursday morning with the possibility of getting worse due to the strong winds, according to Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough. "The weather today will not be on our side," Keough said in a statement. "We expect significant wind gusts today with low humidity and warmer temperatures. This will make fighting difficult." Mandatory evacuations that were issued in Montgomery and San Jacinto counties are still in place Thursday. Thick smoke engulfed roads near the flames, leaving drivers with minimal visibility. Thirty-eight fires have also been reported across Arkansas, with eight of those in the central region of the state. "Our crews are deployed across the state and are partnering with local fire departments, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service," the forestry division said Wednesday. MORE: Blizzard conditions and chances for severe storms expected in the Heartland Firefighters also responded to several fires in New Mexico on Wednesday, including the Gail Fire, which has burned 235 acres and is zero percent contained, officials said. Overnight, eight tornadoes were also reported in Illinois, with strong winds knocking down trees and damaging roofs in the southern suburbs of Chicago. In Indiana, crews cut down part of a massive tree that uprooted and fell into a home due to the heavy gusts. On Thursday, a critical risk for fire danger is in place for southeast Colorado, northeast New Mexico, the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma and southeast Kansas, where wind gusts of up to 50 mph are expected, accompanied with relative humidity between 8% and 15%. In southwest Texas, southern and central Louisiana and the coast of Mississippi are expected to face 30 mph wind gusts and relative humidity as low as 30%. Power remains out for 50,000 customers in Nebraska this morning, along with 10,000 in Arkansas, 7,000 in Indiana and 24,000 in Michigan, according to officials. Meanwhile, snow is expected to fall over Chicago and areas of Michigan on Thursday, with rain arriving to the East Coast during the evening Thursday and overnight Friday. ABC News' Ginger Zee contributed to this report. Wildfires erupt as strong winds continue to hit parts of the country originally appeared on
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires erupt as strong winds continue to hit parts of the country
More than 24 million Americans are under wildfire warnings due to strong winds on Thursday, posing a threat to existing fires in several states, and as a powerful storm moves toward the Northeast. A wildfire was reported burning within the Sam Houston National Forested in San Jacinto County, Texas, on Wednesday evening. The fire, named the Pauline Road Fire, has grown to 2,000 acres with only 10% containment as of Thursday morning with the possibility of getting worse due to the strong winds, according to Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough. "The weather today will not be on our side," Keough said in a statement. "We expect significant wind gusts today with low humidity and warmer temperatures. This will make fighting difficult." Mandatory evacuations that were issued in Montgomery and San Jacinto counties are still in place Thursday. Thick smoke engulfed roads near the flames, leaving drivers with minimal visibility. Thirty-eight fires have also been reported across Arkansas, with eight of those in the central region of the state. "Our crews are deployed across the state and are partnering with local fire departments, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service," the forestry division said Wednesday. MORE: Blizzard conditions and chances for severe storms expected in the Heartland Firefighters also responded to several fires in New Mexico on Wednesday, including the Gail Fire, which has burned 235 acres and is zero percent contained, officials said. Overnight, eight tornadoes were also reported in Illinois, with strong winds knocking down trees and damaging roofs in the southern suburbs of Chicago. In Indiana, crews cut down part of a massive tree that uprooted and fell into a home due to the heavy gusts. On Thursday, a critical risk for fire danger is in place for southeast Colorado, northeast New Mexico, the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma and southeast Kansas, where wind gusts of up to 50 mph are expected, accompanied with relative humidity between 8% and 15%. In southwest Texas, southern and central Louisiana and the coast of Mississippi are expected to face 30 mph wind gusts and relative humidity as low as 30%. Power remains out for 50,000 customers in Nebraska this morning, along with 10,000 in Arkansas, 7,000 in Indiana and 24,000 in Michigan, according to officials. Meanwhile, snow is expected to fall over Chicago and areas of Michigan on Thursday, with rain arriving to the East Coast during the evening Thursday and overnight Friday. ABC News' Ginger Zee contributed to this report. Wildfires erupt as strong winds continue to hit parts of the country originally appeared on
