CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER: Red Flag Warning Issued for Central Oregon Today

The High Desert is on high alert today as the National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Central Mountains (Fire Weather Zone 700), in effect from 11:00 AM this morning until 9:00 PM tonight.

A dangerous combination of rising temperatures, shifting winds, and bone-dry air is creating critical conditions that could cause any new fire to spark and spread rapidly.

Here is what you need to know for the rest of today:

• The Fire Risk: Relative humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 8 percent. Combined with increasingly dry local fuels and warm afternoon temperatures in the mid to upper 80s, the landscape is highly vulnerable.
• The Winds: While the morning starts out calm, northwesterly to northerly winds will pick up after lunch. Expect sustained speeds of 10 to 15 mph, with afternoon and early evening gusts kicking up to 25 or 30 mph.
• The Impact: Because of the extreme dry air and wind gusts, any fire that develops will catch and spread very quickly.

What you should do: Local fire officials strongly advise against any outdoor burning today. Exercise extreme caution with trailer chains, lawnmowers, or anything that could accidentally create a spark on dry grass.

Don’t forget to download the Local Alert Weather App to stay connected with our team of meteorologists. 

You can get access to LIVE radar and receive urgent weather alerts so you’re always prepared.