Bend, Oregon –Dry thunderstorms sweeping into Central Oregon Tuesday afternoon could ignite fast-spreading wildfires, prompting a Red Flag Warning from 2 to 9 p.m. for the region’s mountain zones.
According to the National Weather Service in Pendleton, Fire Weather Zone OR700 — covering cities like Prineville, Bend, and Burns — faces a high likelihood of abundant lightning with little to no rainfall. The agency warns that any new fires could spread rapidly due to dry fuels and strong outflow winds, which may gust up to 45 mph.
Communities in Jefferson, Crook, Deschutes, and Harney counties should avoid outdoor burning, postpone outdoor work if possible, and prepare for quick emergency response. While most storms are expected to drop less than 0.10 inches of rain, isolated cells may produce slightly more.
By Wednesday, the fire danger shifts north. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Lower Columbia Basin of Washington and the Kittitas Valley. Breezy winds combined with low relative humidity — as low as 17% — could trigger critical fire weather conditions into Wednesday night.
The Red Flag Warning in Oregon remains in effect through Tuesday evening, with additional watches possible as winds increase and humidity stays low across eastern Washington.
