Current:Home > reviewsWildfires in Southwest as central, southern U.S. brace for Memorial Day severe weather -PrimeFinance
Wildfires in Southwest as central, southern U.S. brace for Memorial Day severe weather
View
Date:2025-04-16 01:26:23
The Southwest and High Plains will see weather conditions that could lead to wildfires over the Memorial Day weekend, while the central and eastern U.S. could see severe thunderstorms.
Low humidity, gusty winds and dry vegetation in the Southwest could cause new fires to spread rapidly, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said in a Saturday morning forecast. There are red flag warnings – denoting increased risk of fire – issued from southeast Arizona to West Texas and the western Oklahoma Panhandle.
In New Mexico, a blaze dubbed the Blue 2 Fire has already burned an estimated 3,300 acres in the remote White Mountain Wilderness, located west of Roswell. The fire began from a May 17 lightning strike in an area that previously burned, but wind and dry conditions are affecting firefighters’ response, said Amanda Fry, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service at Lincoln National Forest, where the fire is burning.
Memorial Day weekend:Severe weather pounds central US, Northeast; rough holiday weekend ahead
The fire is also in rugged terrain, making it difficult for firefighters to access the area. Containment is at 0%. But a fire that burns the dead or downed trees from the previous fire is inevitably going to occur, Fry said, adding that it’s a natural part of how the forest cleans itself. There are evacuation orders in place.
“Our concern is keeping homes and the community safe, while allowing the forest to do what it does naturally, which is wildfire,” she told USA TODAY. “That’s just part of a forest’s lifecycle.”
Further north, the 1,800-acre Indios Fire northwest of Santa Fe, started from lightning on May 18, also had limited containment in the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. Fire weather watch was in effect Saturday due to dry conditions and winds.
In southwestern Colorado, the Spruce Creek Fire burned 5,699 acres after a lightning strike caused the fire on May 17, in an area that hadn’t seen fire in decades. Containment was at 38% as of Friday, but San Juan National Forest spokesperson Lorena Williams said there likely won’t be increased spread due to containment lines and a road system acting as a barrier for the fire’s spread. There haven’t been red flag warnings for the fire, but milder winds have lifted smoke from communities.
The area is used to wildfires, particularly from lightning strikes, Williams said. Having a fire now, versus during more extreme fire conditions, gives first responders a better opportunity to prepare for future blazes.
“The landscape, ecosystem and communities will benefit from this long-term," she said.
Swimming lessons:Drowning is a top cause of death for young children. Here's what parents should know.
Severe weather in central, eastern and southern U.S. over Memorial Day weekend
Severe weather is affecting the central and eastern U.S. over the weekend, federal forecasters said. A storm system is strengthening across the central and southern Plains, which could create thunderstorms with chances for intense tornadoes, giant hail and destructive winds later Saturday.
After the storm system shifts eastward Sunday, there could be damaging wind gusts as a complex of thunderstorms moves from Missouri through Kentucky, with potential for flash floods, hail and a few tornadoes.
By Memorial Day, the storm is expected to turn toward the eastern U.S. Low pressure will move into the Great Lakes, and a strong cold front could move along the Appalachians. Memorial Day barbecues could face showers and storms with lightning, rain and gusty winds, forecasters warned.
In the South, forecasters warned of heat reaching “oppressive levels” in southern Florida, the Gulf Coast and South Texas that could break daily record highs. Excessive heat warnings remained in effect in South Texas. Heat indices could reach around 115 degrees, a level considered dangerous for people spending extended time outside.
veryGood! (53)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- SEC clashes Georgia-Ole Miss, Alabama-LSU lead college football Week 11 expert predictions
- Who are the billionaires, business leaders who might shape a second Trump presidency?
- Travis Kelce Details Meeting “Awesome” Caitlin Clark at Taylor Swift’s Indianapolis Concert
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- 2 people charged with stealing items from historic site inside Canyonlands National Park
- SEC clashes Georgia-Ole Miss, Alabama-LSU lead college football Week 11 expert predictions
- Olympian Madeline Musselman Honors Husband Pat Woepse After Fatal Cancer Battle
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Snoop Dogg's Daughter Cori Broadus Details Suffering Stroke While Wedding Planning in New E! Special
Ranking
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- McDonald's brings back Spicy Chicken McNuggets to menu in participating markets
- Look out, MLB: Dodgers appear to have big plans after moving Mookie Betts back to infield
- Halle Bailey Seemingly Calls Out Ex DDG Over Parenting Baby Halo
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Outer Banks Just Killed Off a Major Character During Intense Season 4 Finale
- Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy Slams Zach Bryan in Diss Track After Brianna LaPaglia Split
- Roland Quisenberryn: WH Alliance’s Breakthrough from Quantitative Trading to AI
Recommendation
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice appoints wife Cathy to state education board after U.S. Senate win
Health care worker gets 2 years for accessing Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s medical records
Health care worker gets 2 years for accessing Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s medical records
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
The Best Lululemon Holiday Gifts for Fitness Enthusiasts, Travelers, and Comfort Seekers
Interpreting the Investment Wisdom and Business Journey of Damon Quisenberry
AI DataMind: The Ideal Starting Point for a Journey of Success