The National Weather Service in Pendleton on Monday issued a Red Flag Warning for the northern Oregon Columbia Basin in effect from Noon to 11:00pm Tuesday. High wind gusts with very low relative humidity are forecast, creating increased potential for wildfire ignition and growth.
The Warning covers Oregon Zone 631 – generally, the northern areas of Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla Counties. The strongest winds are anticipated on Tuesday afternoon, with gusts of up to 30 mph expected in some areas.
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. To the public, a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading wildland fire in the area within the next 24 hours.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office