Medford, Oregon – Explosive fire weather conditions are expected Thursday afternoon across southwest Oregon and northern California as dry thunderstorms and gusty winds move into the region, prompting a Red Flag Warning from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, the Red Flag Warning covers the Klamath, Shasta, Modoc, and Fremont-Winema National Forests, including the Shasta Valley, Klamath Basin, and eastern Lake County. Scattered to widespread thunderstorms are expected, bringing abundant lightning and outflow winds gusting up to 60 mph.
Areas most at risk include Siskiyou and Modoc Counties in California and Klamath Falls, Silver Lake, and Lakeview in Oregon. Residents should avoid outdoor burning and any spark-producing activities. Fire agencies urge the public to review emergency plans and be ready to evacuate quickly if needed.
With lightning ignitions possible across parched terrain, conditions could escalate rapidly. A Fire Weather Watch is already in place for Friday afternoon through the evening, with the potential to upgrade if storms redevelop.
Stay alert: Have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and pack your go-kit now.
