DOE/LANL Jurisdiction Fire Danger Rating:
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Fire Danger Ratings Explained

Definitions Fire Weather Watch, Red Flag Warning and Fire Danger Ratings

A Red Flag Warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to occur within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Fire Weather Watch is issued to advise the possible development of red flag conditions in the near future, generally the next 24 to 72 hours.

Each NWS office creates local criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings. The criteria for varies for New Mexico:

  1. Sustained 20 foot winds of 20 mph or higher.
  2. Afternoon relative humidity less than 20%.
  3. 10 hour fuel moisture at or below 8-10 or less for one day.

LANL Ownership Boundaries Map

Fire Danger Ratings

Red Flag

Wind Parameters: n/a

Shot/Burn Activity: PROHIBITED

Construction Sites: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Hazard Control Plan

Fuels Mitigation: PROHIBITED

Spark Producing Activities: PROHIBITED

Non-Motorized Activities: Approved with Restrictions 

  • Two-way Communications Management Accountability

Extreme

Wind Parameters: *<10 mph

Shot/Burn Activity: Approved

  • Follow mitigation requirements determined by the Shot Planning and Review Process

Construction Sites: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Hazard Control Plan

Fuels Mitigation: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Communications Plan
  • Approved Fire Suppression plan
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management. 

Spark Producing Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Spark or Flame Permit
  • Two-Way Communications
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management.
  • No Off Road Driving**

Non-Motorized Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Two-Way Communications
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management. 

Very High

Wind Parameters: *<10. mph

Shot/Burn Activity: Approved

  • Follow mitigation requirements determined by the Shot Planning and Review Process

Construction Sites: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Hazard Control Plan

Fuels Mitigation: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Communications Plan
  • Approved Fire Suppression plan
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management. 

Spark Producing Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Spark or Flame Permit
  • Two-Way Communications
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management.

Non-Motorized Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Two-Way Communications
  • Management Accountability

High

Wind Parameters: *<10 mph

Shot/Burn Activity: Approved

  • Follow mitigation requirements determined by the Shot Planning and Review Process

Construction Sites: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Hazard Control Plan

Fuels Mitigation: Approved with Restrictions

  • Two-Way Communications
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management. 

Spark Producing Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Spark or Flame Permit
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management.

Non-Motorized Activities: Approved

Moderate

Wind Parameters: *<20 mph

Shot/Burn Activity: Approved

  • Follow mitigation requirements determined by the Shot Planning and Review Process

Construction Sites: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Hazard Control Plan

Fuels Mitigation: Approved with Restrictions

  • Two-Way Communications
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management. 

Spark Producing Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Spark or Flame Permit

Non-Motorized Activities: Approved

Low

Wind Parameters: *<20 mph

Shot/Burn Activity: Approved

  • Follow mitigation requirements determined by the Shot Planning and Review Process

Construction Sites: Approved with Restrictions

  • Approved Hazard Control Plan

Fuels Mitigation: Approved with Restrictions

  • Two-Way Communications
  • Field Activities must be approved by line management. 

Spark Producing Activities: Approved with Restrictions

  • Spark or Flame Permit

Non-Motorized Activities: Approved

*Wind speed in excess of the listed speed would cause the Fire Danger Rating to advance to the next higher level.
**Road: For purposes of this document, a road must be improved by either pavement, or by base course. A two wheel rut path is not considered a road. NOTES: Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty are exempt from this procedure. Wind data is standardized using the LANL Weather Machine, Tower 6 postings.