Beginning Noon Friday, the National Weather Service in Portland issued Red Flag Warnings for high fire potential through those areas of the Willamette Valley not already under the Warning. Friday’s Red Flag covers all of Multnomah County, Columbia County, eastern Clatsop County, Washington County, Yamhill County, Clackamas County, Polk County, Marion County, Benton County and Lane County, and is in effect until 6pm Sunday.
The National Weather Service in Portland is continuing the Red Flag Warning for high fire potential in eastern Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Marion County, Linn County and eastern Lane County. The Red Flag Warning for these regions of Oregon is in effect until 6:00 Monday morning September 12.
The warning applies to all private and public lands (including the Tillamook State Forest and Clatsop State Forest) within Fire Zones OR 602-608.
Please exercise caution around open flame or spark-generated equipment.
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