Expect wind and low relative humidity coupled with high heat

information released

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PDT Thursday. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PDT Friday.

* Affected Area: includes Fire Weather Zone 696 East washington Central Cascades (zone 696), Fire Weather Zone 697 East Portion of North Cascades National Park/lake Chelan National Recreation area (zone 697), Fire Weather Zone 698 East washington North Cascades (zone 698), Fire Weather Zone 699 Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (zone 699), Fire Weather Zone 700 Selkirk Mountains of Northeast washington (zone 700), Fire Weather Zone 701 Foothills of Northeast washington (zone 701), Fire Weather Zone 702 Colville Reservation (zone 702), Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (zone 704), Fire Weather Zone 705 Foothills of Central washington Cascades (zone 705), Fire Weather Zone 706 Waterville Plateau (zone 706), Fire Weather Zone 707 Western Columbia Basin (zone 707), Fire Weather Zone 708 Eastern Columbia Basin – Palouse – Spokane area (zone 708) and Fire Weather Zone 709 Lower Palouse – Snake River (zone 709).

* winds: Southwest 10 to 20 MPH with Gusts Up to 35 MPH.

* Relative Humidities: 9 to 18 Percent in the Valleys and 18 to 28 Percent over the Higher Terrain.

* Impacts: Any New or Existing Fires will Have the Potential to Spread Rapidly.

A Red Flag Warning Means That Critical Fire Weather Conditions are Either Occurring Now….or will Shortly. a Combination Of Strong winds…low Relative Humidity…and Warm Temperatures Can Contribute to Extreme Fire Behavior.

Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle; East Washington Central Cascades; East Portion of North Cascades National Park / Lake Chelan National Recreation Area; East Washington North Cascades; Okanogan Highlands & Kettle Mountains; Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington; Foothills of Northeast Washington; Colville Reservation; Methow Valley; Central Washington Cascade Foothills; Waterville Plateau; Western Columbia Basin; Eastern Columbia Basin / Palouse / Spokane Area; Lower Palouse / Snake River