A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 11 am this morning until 8 pm this evening for stron winds and low relative humidity. Southwest winds will blow again today with speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph are forecast for Apache, Navajo, Coconino, northern Gila and Yavapai counties. A Red Flag Warning means that Critical Fire Weather Conditions are either occurring now or will be shortly.

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. A Fire Weather Watch means that Critical Fire Weather Conditions are possible.

Check back for updates on forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Apache, Coconino, Navajo, northern Gila and Yavapai Counties for today. Very Dry and Windy Conditions are expected as a cold fron t moves through the Great Basin. Southwest winds from 15 to 25 MPH with gusts reaching up to 40 MPH will combine with single digit humidity levels and produce Critical Fire Weather Conditions across northern Arizona. The Red Flag Warning will be in effect until 7 PM this evening.

From Friday through Sunday very dry weather will continue. Afternoon wind speeds are expected to be slower than what is experienced Wednesday and Thursday.

Jim Zornes from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and ordered temporary closures in the Sitgreaves National Forest. Promontory Butte Area and the area known as Rodeo Chediski and Show Low South Hazardous Fire Conditions Closure Area have been ordered closed as of 12:01 am on June 19, 2013 and will remain in effect until July 31, 2013 unless rescinded before that date. The purpose of these closure is “to protect public and fire fighter health and safety, and protect government property, private property and natural resources during high to extreme fire conditions”.

Detailed area descriptions, and maps can be found in the Forest Closure Orders on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices.