Fire Weather Watch Issued for Medford and Southern Oregon Region

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 622, AND 623

IMPACTS: Given the recent prolonged stretch of very hot and very dry conditions, lightning efficiency will be high to very high for fire starts. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Additionally, winds will allow for new and existing fires to grow rapidly out of control.
AFFECTED AREA: All of Fire Zones 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 622, and 623.
THUNDERSTORMS: Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible Saturday night. Lightning strikes outside of precipitation cores are possible and cause for concern.
OUTFLOW WINDS: Gusts up to 40 mph. These outflow winds can travel up to 50 miles away from the thunderstorm that caused it.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: If you have not packed your evacuation kit yet, now is the time to do so. This includes items like important documents and essentials you cannot live without. Fill your vehicle’s fuel tank. Visit ready.gov/kit for more information. Plan now to avoid using equipment that could cause sparks during the period when critical weather conditions are possible. Visit weather.gov/medford/wildfire for links to fire restrictions in your area.
A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could promote the rapid spread of wildfires which could become life- threatening.