NWS Issues Red Flag Warning for Greater Medford Area

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 AM SUNDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 622, AND 623

The National Weather Service in Medford has replaced the Fire Weather Watch with a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 5 PM this afternoon to 8 AM Sunday.

IMPACTS…Given the prolonged stretch of very hot and very dry conditions, lightning efficiency will be high to very high for fire starts. Additionally, gusty outflow 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 expected late tonight into early Sunday morning. 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… Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. 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. 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