Red Flag Warnings Issued for Abundant Lightning
Warnings cover much of the quad county area, the Siskiyou Mountains and parts of the Jackson and Josephine county region Friday.
MEDFORD, Ore. — Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Friday across parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California as thunderstorms are expected to bring abundant lightning over dry fuels, increasing the risk for new wildfire starts.
The National Weather Service in Medford says scattered dry and wet thunderstorms are expected to develop Friday as elevated moisture moves into the region. Storms are expected to track north through the day, with lightning possible through Friday evening.
The warnings include much of the quad county area — Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou counties — along with the Siskiyou Mountains, which includes portions of the Jackson and Josephine county region.
For the Siskiyou Mountains, the Red Flag Warning is in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. NWS says thunderstorms in that area are expected to move northeast around 20 to 25 mph, with outflow wind gusts up to 35 mph.
For much of Modoc and Siskiyou counties, the Red Flag Warning is also in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. The Fire Weather Watch previously issued for that area is no longer in effect.
A National Weather Service hazard map shows Red Flag Warning areas across much of the quad county area and parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California ahead of Friday’s lightning threat. (NWS)
For most of Klamath and Lake counties, including the Klamath Basin, Fremont-Winema National Forest and parts of the south central Oregon desert, the Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday. NWS says the southern portions of those zones near the California border have the highest chance of seeing abundant lightning.
NWS says abundant lightning on dry fuels will likely create new ignitions across the region. Any fires that develop could spread rapidly, and numerous new starts could overwhelm initial attack resources.
A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is an active fire. It means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or expected soon, creating conditions where new fires may start more easily and spread more quickly.
Residents and visitors are urged to follow all current fire restrictions, avoid activities that could create sparks, and make sure they are signed up for local emergency alerts.
Red Flag Warning Areas
Siskiyou Mountains: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
Modoc and Siskiyou counties: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
Klamath and Lake counties: 1 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday
Main concern: Abundant lightning on dry fuels
Storm motion: North to northeast around 20 to 25 mph
Outflow winds: Gusts up to 35 mph
Fire risk: New starts possible; fires could spread rapidly
Cover image: Lightning flashes over Central Oregon rangeland in a Bureau of Land Management photo. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Friday across parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California as thunderstorms are expected to bring abundant lightning over dry fuels. Photo by Lisa McNee / Bureau of Land Management.
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