Red Flag Warnings continue for abundant lightning on critically dry fuels

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Abundant Lightning On Dry Fuels Expected through Monday

MEDFORD, Ore. - Isolated and scattered thunderstorms are expected again today. Abundant lightning on critically dry fuels will likely result in new fire starts and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for portions of the area. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for a larger portion of the area for Tuesday when additional thunderstorm activity is possible.

UPDATE: The previously issued Fire Weather Watch has been replaced with a Red Flag Warning.

Heat, instability, and increasing moisture along with multiple low-pressure impulses moving through this afternoon through Monday evening are expected to bring isolated to scattered thunderstorms and abundant lightning on dry fuels to the area. Through this evening, abundant lightning is likely from the Marble Mountains and Siskiyous northeastward and the Cascades eastward. Monday afternoon and evening the lightning threat will be greatest from the Cascades eastward.

RED FLAG WARNING


URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
441 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

Western Klamath National Forest
Central Siskiyou County + Shasta Valley
Siskiyou County Cascades + Mt. Shasta
Umpqua National Forest
Southern Oregon Cascades
Klamath Basin
Fremont-Winema National Forest
Modoc County
South Central Oregon Desert
BLM Land of Lake and Harney Counties
Central Oregon Cascades
Willamette National Forest

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES: 280, 284, 285, 610, 611, 617, 620, 621, 623, 624, 625, 640, 642

IMPACTS:
Abundant lightning on critically dry vegetation will likely result in numerous new fire starts today. Gusty thunderstorm outflow wind gusts of 30 to as high as 60 mph could contribute to fire spread. Despite locally heavy downpours that could be wetting, initial attack resources could be overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

RAINFALL:
Today, thunderstorms are expected to be a mix of wet and dry, so locally significant wetting rainfall will be possible with some of the thunderstorms, especially the slower moving ones.

NOTES:
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.

Isolated and scattered thunderstorms are expected again today. Abundant lightning on critically dry fuels will likely result in new fire starts and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for portions of the area. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for a larger portion of the area for Tuesday when additional thunderstorm activity is possible.

What is a Red Flag Warning?

A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.  

  • If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.

  • Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.

  • Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.

  • Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.

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