The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning for high wildfire potential in Klamath County, Lake County and western Harney County, including the Fremont-Winema National Forest and BLM lands, from 11:00 AM Monday until 11:00 Monday night.
Thunderstorm activity is predicted, bringing with it isolated lightning strikes.
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.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry