The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning for high wildfire potential covering Curry County, Josephine County, eastern Douglas County and portions of eastern Jackson County and the California border in effect from 11:00 Saturday morning until 11:00 Sunday night.
Hot temperatures will combine with wind gusts of 10 to 20 mph, and low relative humidity to form potentially explosive fire growth.
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 and prevent accidental wildfire ignitions from sparks or open flame.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry