ODF’s Northeastern Oregon District entered fire season on Wednesday morning July 6, and today the National Weather Service in Pendleton issued a Fire Weather Watch for portions of northern Umatilla County extending into Washington state.
The Fire Weather Watch is recommending caution on Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening as a cold front is predicted to move through northeastern Oregon, producing windy conditions with very low humidity. The affected regions are northern Umatilla County, and the lower Columbia Basin and southern Columbia Basin in Washington.
Wind gusts of 45 mph are predicted, with relative humidity below 20 percent in the region. These factors could contribute to rapid wildfire spread if an ignition occurs. Please exercise caution with potential fire sources during this event.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry