The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning for high wildfire potential covering eastern Douglas, Jackson County, southern Klamath County and Lake County in effect until 11:00 Thursday night.
Dry thunderstorms are expected through the region Thursday which are expected to provide lightning strikes. East winds of 10 to 20 mph are predicted, however in isolated instances, gusts of 50 mph are possible.
A Red Flag Warning is the highest fire forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service to warn of conditions that are ideal for wildland fire ignition and propagation. When humidity is very low, wildland fuels are extremely dry and when high winds are accompanied with multiple lightning strikes, the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies, which often alter their staffing and equipment resources dramatically to accommodate the forecast risk.
To the public, a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours. Please be very careful with fire this week and prevent accidental wildfire ignitions from sparks or open flame.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry