ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Strong winds have made for a very dusty Monday for various places in New Mexico.

Just before 11 a.m., blowing dust prompted the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Program to issue a health alert for city and county residents with respiratory conditions to limit their outdoor activity. An hour later, the City of Albuquerque ordered contractors and businesses, that generate dust, to shut down immediately.

The blowing dust shut down I-10 between Deming and Las Cruces. It is also closed the U.S. Highway 285 Relief Route in Roswell and nearby Dexter Schools released students at 11:30 a.m. due to “extreme wind and dust.”

In eastern New Mexico, Xcel Energy had a “public safety power shutoff” Monday afternoon, affecting around 140 customers. That will reduce the wildfire risk from power lines (click/tap here for the latest updates).

Here are some travel safety tips to know, from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque:

• Low Visibility
  • If caught in a dust storm, pull over, put your car in park, turn off the lights and take your foot off the brake
• High-Profile Vehicles
  • Use extreme caution, strong winds can push or overturn large vehicles
• Loose Objects
  • Secure outdoor furniture, trash bins, and anything that could become airborne
• Avoid driving if you don’t have to

Here are some extreme fire weather precautions to know:

• No Outdoor Burning
  • A single spark can start a wildfire in these conditions
• Power Line Safety
  • Stay far away from downed power lines, report them immediately

Make sure you secure loose items, such as patio furniture, sports equipment, trash cans and trampolines, so they don’t fly away.

A red flag warning is in effect for much of New Mexico with wind advisories and warnings also in effect to go along with it.

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• Red flag warning in effect Monday for most of New Mexico