Sunday marked the one-week anniversary of devastating and deadly wildfirestearing across West Texas as well as the return of fire danger here and inneighboring New Mexico.The fire danger will significantly heighten Monday as stronger winds ramp up,the temperature climbs and humidity nose-dives. Wind speeds will commonly reach20 to 40 mph with some gusts topping 50 mph.
Under such conditions, any spark can quickly kindle a blaze that gets fannedout of control.
These warm and exceptionally dry winds will kick thanks to the a western stormsystem that will also trigger snow from the Inter Mountain east to the centraland northern Plains.
The strong winds and heightened fire threat will last into Tuesday.
Along with the direct threat from fast-moving flames, blinding smoke from anywildfire could prove hazardous along area highways.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologists Kristina Pydynowski and JimAndrews
