Community News

Red Flag Warning for Friday, June 21

Valid: Friday late morning – early evening

* AFFECTED AREA…Areas near Buffalo Pass, Chinle, Dilkon, Eagar-Springerville, Ganado, Holbrook, Kayenta, Kykotsmovi, Pinetop-Lakeside, Saint Johns, Shonto, Show Low, Snowflake-Taylor, Tuba City, Window Rock and Winslow.

* WINDS…Southwest 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Strong southwest winds and low relative humidity will lead to critical fire weather conditions northeast of the Mogollon Rim from late this morning through early this evening.  In addition, wind gusts over 45 mph could cause hazardous driving conditions for high-profile vehicles.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 10 percent.

* IMPACTS…Any fires that develop have the potential to spread very rapidly.

• No debris burning is allowed during Red Flag Warnings!!

Smoke impact update from Arizona fires.

Smoke
Morning satellite imagery shows lighter smoke off the Coldwater Fire and a large smoke column from the Woodbury Fire east of Phoenix. That smoke is moving toward the northeast. This additional smoke from the Woodbury will continue to increase smoke along the I40 communities and also for locations around Show Low. The increased smoke will cause decreasing air quality through Saturday, but only Moderate air is possible. In the morning for Winslow, Holbrook, and Show Low, brief Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups is possible, improving by 9am.

Transportation
Smoke could be dense at the intersection of State Highway 87 and Lake Mary Road or Forest Service Road 3 each morning between approximately 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Smoke from the Coldwater and other fires in the area could collect each morning in drainages along I40. Watch for reduced visibility at times, especially along the Little Colorado River.