Red flag warnings issued for Navajo Nation, northern Arizona

WINDOW ROCK

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for large portions of northern Arizona and the Navajo Nation this weekend, saying strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels could cause wildfires to spread quickly.

The first Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday for areas that include the Little Colorado River Valley, Kaibito Plateau, Painted Desert, Eastern Mogollon Rim, Black Mesa and portions of the Navajo Nation north and south of U.S. Highway 264.

Additional red flag warnings are in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday for those areas and for the Chinle Valley, Chuska Mountains, Defiance Plateau, Grand Canyon Country, Kaibab Plateau, Marble and Glen Canyons and the White Mountains.

The warnings cover portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino and Kaibab national forests.

Forecasters in Flagstaff said a Red Flag Warning is issued when weather conditions could lead to rapid fire spread. It does not mean a wildfire is already burning.

Southwest winds are forecast at 15 to 25 mph Saturday, with gusts up to 40 mph. Conditions are expected to worsen Sunday, with winds at 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. Relative humidity is expected to remain low, between 9% and 17% Saturday and between 10% and 24% Sunday.

Forecasters said new or existing fires could show extreme fire behavior. They also warned of an elevated potential for new fire starts through the weekend.

The 2026 fire season has already surpassed the national 10-year average for acres burned.

The National Interagency Fire Center reported Friday that 26,568 wildfires had burned more than 1.9 million acres nationwide this year. The agency also reported 16 uncontained large fires.

The 10-year average for the same date is 18,893 fires and 1,085,356 acres, according to the NIFC.

The National Preparedness Level, a 1-to-5 scale that measures national firefighting demand and available resources, is at Level 2.

In Arizona, the AFM Hazen Fire, about a mile south of Buckeye, was reported fully contained at 1,191 acres.

In New Mexico, three large fires on national forest land remain active. The Hummingbird Fire is burning about 15 miles east of Glenwood on the Gila National Forest and was listed at 5,720 acres and 76% contained. The Six Mile Fire is burning about 12 miles southeast of Magdalena on the Cibola National Forest and was listed at 341 acres and 55% contained. The Seven Cabins Fire is burning about 13 miles northwest of Capitan on the Lincoln National Forest and was listed at 150 acres with no containment.

Federal seasonal outlooks show elevated fire potential in the Four Corners region heading into summer.

The North American Seasonal Fire Assessment, published by NIFC’s Predictive Services, forecasts above-normal significant fire potential in much of the Southwest in May before it expands into much of the Greater Four Corners region and parts of southern Nevada in June. The outlook projects most of the Southwest will return to normal in July, while above-normal fire potential expands into Utah, western Colorado, the northern Great Basin, northern California and the Northwest.

The outlook cited expanding drought and above-normal temperatures in much of the West. NIFC says nearly 85% of wildfires in the United States are human-caused and preventable.

The National Weather Service advised people in affected areas to avoid outdoor activities that could spark a wildfire, including operating equipment that throws sparks, driving or parking vehicles in dry grass and throwing cigarette butts from vehicles.

The Navajo Nation has not issued new fire restrictions this season. The tribe’s 2025 stage 1 and stage 2 fire restrictions were lifted in September.

Coconino County has not issued fire restrictions. The Coconino National Forest is scheduled to enter stage 1 fire restrictions May 21.

Arizona officials said stage 1 fire restrictions are in place on some State Trust lands in Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties.

New Mexico has statewide fire restrictions on non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands. The restrictions prohibit smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning and open fires, with exceptions.

Wildland fires on the Navajo Nation may be reported to BIA Fire Dispatch at 928-729-2307. Questions about Navajo Nation fire restrictions may be directed to the Navajo Forestry Department at 928-729-4007.

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