The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for dangerous fire conditions across northeastern Oregon, including the eastern Columbia Gorge, Umatilla County and northern Wallowa County. The Warning is in effect from Noon until 9:00 pm Wednesday.
Low humidity, high winds and high temperatures will converge to create high fire potential in the region. Wind gusts of 30 mph are predicted with humidity as low as 14 percent RH. Peak winds are predicted for late Wednesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches to alert fire agencies of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.
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