Red Flag Warning issued ahead of expected thunderstorms

/

Lightning activity will increase from Thursday into Friday

On Thursday, monsoonal moisture and an upper-level low will kick off thunderstorm activity east of the Cascades. Storm activity has a moderate chance of continuing into Thursday night. Increased coverage of thunderstorm activity is anticipated Friday. Storms on Thursday and Friday have a higher potential of being dry.

 

RED FLAG WARNING


URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
131 PM PDT Wed Aug 2 2023

Klamath Basin
Fremont-Winema National Forest

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 624

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

IMPACTS
Any fires that develop have a higher probability of spreading rapidly. Abundant lightning under wetter storms can also ignite new fires and strain fire fighting resources.

AFFECTED AREA
The entire area of fire weather zone 624. Storms are anticipated to be more isolated within this zone on Thursday and impact the eastern areas of the zone.

THUNDERSTORMS
Storms have a higher potential of being dry. Thunderstorms are anticipated to cover more area and produce more lightning on Friday. The probability of lightning within 25 miles of any point in the warning area is roughly 45 percent Friday.

OUTFLOW WINDS
Gust up to 40 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Find links to restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don`t want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go? How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire threatens.

What is a Red Flag Warning?

Red Flag Warnings are a part of life in southern Oregon and northern California, but what is it exactly?

Red flag warnings are issued when we identify periods of very dry humidity and gusty winds that could allow for new and existing fires to spread rapidly; or when abundant lightning on dry vegetation which may cause several new fires. When we issue a red flag warning, we want you to familiarize yourself with your fire plan and make sure your go kits are in good shape and accessible. Listen to officials like emergency managers or your local sheriff's office for new information should a fire ignite. And remember to use extreme caution with potential ignition sources. One less spark, one less wildfire.