Alert archive / Arizona / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 11, NWS Flagstaff, AZ

May 21, 2021Apache County, Coconino County, Navajo County, Arizona

NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued this red flag warning at May 21, 2021, 1:38 PM MST for Apache County, Coconino County, Navajo County, Arizona. It took effect at May 22, 2021, 11:00 AM MST. It was in force for 9 hr. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 21, 2021, 1:38 PM MST (20:38 UTC)
In effect from
May 22, 2021, 11:00 AM MST
Expired
May 22, 2021, 8:00 PM MST
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Flagstaff, AZ

Counties Apache County, AZ, Coconino County, AZ, Navajo County, AZ

The radar

The Flagstaff radar (KFSX), 124 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:41 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 22, 12:55 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 58Taylor, AZAWOS STATION KTYL TAYLOR AIRPORT.
May 22, 1:03 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 626 W Joseph City, AZMESONET STATION AZT11 I-40 @ JACK RABBIT MM 270.
May 22, 1:45 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 5910 Sse Petrified Forest, AZMESONET STATION AZCDT DOUBTFUL TANKS.
May 22, 2:56 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 591 Nw Winslow, AZASOS STATION KINW WINSLOW AIRPORT.
May 22, 3:03 PM MSTNON-TSTM WND GST 643 Ese Winslow, AZMESONET STATION AZT06 I-40 @ LITTLE COLO. RIVER MM 257 3E INW.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 12:00Z, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 121 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-05-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-05-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 129 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
886 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
59 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
129 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
153 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

725 
WWUS85 KFGZ 212038
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
138 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

AZZ115>117-212145-
/O.CAN.KFGZ.FW.A.0010.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
Western Mogollon Rim (Fire Weather Zone 115)-
Eastern Mogollon Rim (Fire Weather Zone 116)-
White Mountains (Fire Weather Zone 117)-
138 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has upgraded the Fire 
Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning. 

$$

AZZ109-112-230300-
/O.UPG.KFGZ.FW.A.0010.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210522T0300Z/
Northeast Plateau And Mesas Hwy 264 Northward (Fire Weather Zone
109)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County (Fire Weather
Zone 112)-
138 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR NORTHERN ARIZONA...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST SATURDAY DUE
TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA
AND THE NAVAJO NATION...

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Red Flag
Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is
in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MST Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch
is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Locations near Tuba City. 

* WINDS...South 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

AZZ110-111-113-114-139-140-230300-
/O.UPG.KFGZ.FW.A.0010.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
Chinle Valley (Fire Weather Zone 110)-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 111)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County (Fire Weather Zone
113)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County (Fire Weather Zone
114)-Black Mesa Area (Fire Weather Zone 139)-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 (Fire Weather Zone
140)-
138 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST SATURDAY DUE
TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA
AND THE NAVAJO NATION...

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Red Flag
Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is
in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MST Saturday. The Fire Weather Watch
is no longer in effect.

* AFFECTED AREA...Locations near Buffalo Pass, Chinle, Dilkon, 
  Eagar-Springerville, Ganado, Holbrook, Kayenta, Kykotsmovi, 
  Saint Johns, Shonto, Snowflake-Taylor, Window Rock and 
  Winslow. 

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

AZZ104>108-137-138-220300-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210522T0300Z/
Kaibab Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 104)-
Marble and Glen Canyons (Fire Weather Zone 105)-
Grand Canyon Country (Fire Weather Zone 106)-
Coconino Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 107)-
Yavapai County Mountains (Fire Weather Zone 108)-
Yavapai County Valleys and Basins (Fire Weather Zone 137)-
Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons (Fire Weather Zone 138)-
138 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR NORTHWESTERN ARIZONA...

* AFFECTED AREA...Locations near Camp Verde, Chino Valley, 
  Congress, Cottonwood, Fredonia, Grand Canyon, Jacob Lake, 
  North Rim, Page, Paulden, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona, 
  Seligman and Valle. This includes portions of the Coconino 
  National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Prescott National 
  Forest and Tonto National Forest.

* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/flagstaff
5 follow-up statements
320 
WWUS85 KFGZ 220253
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
753 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

AZZ109-112-221215-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FW.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210522T0300Z/
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
Northeast Plateau And Mesas Hwy 264 Northward (Fire Weather Zone
109)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County (Fire Weather
Zone 112)-
753 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR FRIDAY WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST THIS 
EVENING FOR AREAS IN NORTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA...

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR SATURDAY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 
8 PM MST (NOON TO 9 PM NAVAJO NATION) FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA AND 
THE NAVAJO NATION...

* AFFECTED AREA...Locations near Tuba City, Leupp and Kaibito. 

* WINDS...South 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 6 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

AZZ104>108-137-138-220400-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FW.W.0010.000000T0000Z-210522T0300Z/
Kaibab Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 104)-
Marble and Glen Canyons (Fire Weather Zone 105)-
Grand Canyon Country (Fire Weather Zone 106)-
Coconino Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 107)-
Yavapai County Mountains (Fire Weather Zone 108)-
Yavapai County Valleys and Basins (Fire Weather Zone 137)-
Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons (Fire Weather Zone 138)-
753 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST THIS EVENING...

The Red Flag Warning for today (Friday) will be allowed to expire
at 8 PM MST (9 PM Navajo Nation). Wind gusts are slowly decreasing
across north-central Arizona and relative humidity will continue
to rebound through the rest of this evening.

$$

AZZ110-111-113-114-139-140-221215-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
Chinle Valley (Fire Weather Zone 110)-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 111)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County (Fire Weather Zone
113)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County (Fire Weather Zone
114)-Black Mesa Area (Fire Weather Zone 139)-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 (Fire Weather Zone
140)-
753 PM MST Fri May 21 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR SATURDAY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 
8 PM MST (NOON TO 9 PM NAVAJO NATION) FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA AND 
THE NAVAJO NATION...

* AFFECTED AREA...Locations near Buffalo Pass, Chinle, Dilkon, 
  Eagar-Springerville, Ganado, Holbrook, Kayenta, Kykotsmovi, 
  Saint Johns, Shonto, Snowflake-Taylor, Window Rock and 
  Winslow. 

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/flagstaff
473 
WWUS85 KFGZ 220945
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
245 AM MST Sat May 22 2021


AZZ109>114-139-140-221745-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
Northeast Plateau And Mesas Hwy 264 Northward (Fire Weather Zone
109)-Chinle Valley (Fire Weather Zone 110)-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 111)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County (Fire Weather
Zone 112)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County (Fire Weather Zone
113)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County (Fire Weather Zone
114)-Black Mesa Area (Fire Weather Zone 139)-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 (Fire Weather Zone
140)-
245 AM MST Sat May 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR SATURDAY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM
TO 8 PM MST (NOON TO 9 PM NAVAJO NATION) FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA
AND THE NAVAJO NATION...

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

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts 50-60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/flagstaff
018 
WWUS85 KFGZ 220946
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
246 AM MST Sat May 22 2021


AZZ109>114-139-140-230300-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.210522T1800Z-210523T0300Z/
Northeast Plateau And Mesas Hwy 264 Northward (Fire Weather Zone
109)-Chinle Valley (Fire Weather Zone 110)-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 111)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County (Fire Weather
Zone 112)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County (Fire Weather Zone
113)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County (Fire Weather Zone
114)-Black Mesa Area (Fire Weather Zone 139)-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 (Fire Weather Zone
140)-
246 AM MST Sat May 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM MST THIS EVENING FOR SATURDAY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM
TO 8 PM MST (NOON TO 9 PM NAVAJO NATION) FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA
AND THE NAVAJO NATION...

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

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts 50-60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/flagstaff
193 
WWUS85 KFGZ 222140
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
240 PM MST Sat May 22 2021

AZZ109>114-139-140-230300-
/O.CON.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.000000T0000Z-210523T0300Z/
Northeast Plateau And Mesas Hwy 264 Northward (Fire Weather Zone
109)-Chinle Valley (Fire Weather Zone 110)-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 111)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County (Fire Weather
Zone 112)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County (Fire Weather Zone
113)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County (Fire Weather Zone
114)-Black Mesa Area (Fire Weather Zone 139)-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 (Fire Weather Zone
140)-
240 PM MST Sat May 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MST THIS EVENING
FOR SATURDAY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST (NOON TO
9 PM NAVAJO NATION) FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA AND THE NAVAJO NATION...

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

* WINDS...Southwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can 
  cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first 
  responders can contain them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong
winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire
behavior.

Please notify field crews of this red flag warning.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/flagstaff
074 
WWUS85 KFGZ 230254
RFWFGZ

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
754 PM MST Sat May 22 2021

AZZ109>114-139-140-230400-
/O.EXP.KFGZ.FW.W.0011.000000T0000Z-210523T0300Z/
Northeast Plateau And Mesas Hwy 264 Northward (Fire Weather Zone
109)-Chinle Valley (Fire Weather Zone 110)-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau (Fire Weather Zone 111)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County (Fire Weather
Zone 112)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County (Fire Weather Zone
113)-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County (Fire Weather Zone
114)-Black Mesa Area (Fire Weather Zone 139)-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 (Fire Weather Zone
140)-
754 PM MST Sat May 22 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM MST (9 PM NAVAJO NATION) THIS
EVENING FOR NORTHEAST ARIZONA AND THE NAVAJO NATION...

While some sub-15% relative humidity has persisted this evening 
in parts of northeastern Arizona, the wind speeds areawide have
began to decrease over the last hour. As a result, the Red Flag 
Warning from today will be allowed to expire at the top of the 
hour since surface weather observations are no longer are 
supporting critical fire weather conditions across a majority of 
the warned zones. Expect humidity to gradually increase overnight
and much lighter winds to set up over northern Arizona on Sunday.

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/flagstaff

The office that day

Everything else NWS Flagstaff, AZ issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 21, 3:36 AM MSTWind AdvisoryFGZApache, Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai40 hr
May 21, 4:28 AM MSTFire Weather WatchFGZApache, Coconino, Navajo9 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Arizona, 2021Every red flag warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.