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The week may be starting out windy and dry, but by Friday parts of New Mexico could receive precipitation that will assist firefighting efforts across the state.

On Sunday, wind gusts as high as 63 mph were reported at Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, near Ruidoso, said Matt DeMaria, National Weather Service of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 meteorologist. In sa国际传媒官网网页入口, gusts reached 49 mph, which prompted the city to issue a health alert due to blowing dust.

Aside from bringing dust, the wind 鈥� along with low humidity 鈥� caused the NWS to issue red flag warnings, making it challenging for firefighters battling flames that prompted evacuations in parts of the Gila National Forest and northern New Mexico.

About 15 miles east of Glenwood, DeMaria said firefighters are dealing with about 40 mph gusts as they tackle the 2,673-acre Hummingbird Fire. The fire, which began on April 20, was caused by lightning and is 0% contained, as of Sunday, according to an incident management team news release. The incident caused the Willow Creek community to evacuate on Saturday.

鈥淩ed Flag conditions contributed to (Saturday鈥檚) fire growth where firefighters spent the day working with multiple aircraft throughout the operational shift,鈥� the release states.

On Sunday, crews planned to secure fire spots and provide structure protection. As of Sunday afternoon, the evacuations remain in place, according to the incident management team. 

About 300 miles northeast in Espa帽ola, multiple structures burned and people had to evacuate after a brush fire reportedly started on Friday night in a bosque north of Santa Claran Casino.

As of about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, the 44-acre Riverside Fire was 60% contained and evacuations had been lifted but not before four structures were destroyed: a single-wide trailer, a recreational vehicle and two sheds, according to a Sunday afternoon Bureau of Indian Affairs 鈥� Northern Pueblos Agency news release.

"Damage assessments are ongoing,鈥� the release states.

While the incident remains under investigation, Espa帽ola Fire Chief John Wickersham said in a social media post: 鈥淲e can confirm that the fire was not caused by individuals experiencing homelessness.鈥�

Roughly 100 miles southeast of the city, near Sapello, the Tusas Fire burned 233 acres and prompted evacuations. As of Sunday, the fire was 79% contained. Road closures and evacuations have been lifted.

鈥淭he public should proceed with caution, as firefighting operations continue on N.M. 266 and the surrounding area,鈥� New Mexico Forestry Division spokesperson George Ducker said in a news release.

The cause is under investigation, he said.

Help could be on the way for firefighters as parts of New Mexico are expected to get moisture on Thursday and Friday, including the Gila National Forest, which is good news, DeMaria said. 

He added that some of the precipitation could be snow, especially in parts of northern New Mexico. Even Red River and Angel Fire could see some white stuff.

鈥淚f the system trends a bit colder, then maybe they get mostly snow and they could get several inches,鈥� DeMaria said. 鈥�(But) if it鈥檚 a little warmer, then it鈥檚 going to be all rain. Right now, I would expect it to not be a significant event for those locations, mostly just for people that are living a little bit higher up.鈥�

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820 .