Red Flag Warnings Issued for Columbia River Gorge and Colorado Ahead of Critical Fire Weather
The National Weather Service has issued multiple Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across parts of Oregon, Washington and Colorado due to critical fire weather conditions with strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels.
Current Red Flag Warnings Issued
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Western Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington through Wednesday evening with east winds of 10-20 mph gusting to 38 mph and relative humidity as low as 15-20 percent. [1] Critical fire weather conditions are expected in the Western Columbia River Gorge this afternoon through Wednesday evening. [1] A Red Flag Warning covers Jackson County below 9000 feet in Colorado from 1 PM to 7 PM MDT with west winds of 10-15 mph gusting to 30 mph. [3] The timing for this Red Flag Warning runs from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM MDT this evening in Fire Weather Zones 211 and 213. [4] Winds for the Red Flag Warning in these Colorado zones are west 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. [4] The National Weather Service in Denver CO issued the Red Flag Warning for Jackson County below 9000 feet. [4]
Fire Weather Watch for Colorado Counties
A Fire Weather Watch is also in effect Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening for multiple Colorado counties above and below 9000 feet with west winds of 10-20 mph gusting to 30 mph and relative humidity between 8-15 percent. [3] The Fire Weather Watch covers Fire Weather Zones 211, 212, 213, 214, 217, and 218 from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. [5] Winds during the Fire Weather Watch period are west 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the affected zones. [3] Relative humidity is expected between 8 to 15 percent across the zones under the Fire Weather Watch. [5] The National Weather Service in Denver CO has issued the Fire Weather Watch for South and Southeast Grand, West Central and Southwest Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Summit, North and West Park Counties above 9000 feet as well as Jackson County below 9000 feet. [5]
Expected Conditions in Columbia River Gorge
Critical fire weather conditions are expected in the Western Columbia River Gorge this afternoon through Wednesday evening for dry conditions and easterly winds up to 38 mph. [1] East winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 38 mph are forecast in Fire Weather Zone 636. [1] Winds will be strongest this morning through the early afternoon, and again tonight through early Wednesday afternoon. [1] Relative humidity will drop as low as 15-20 percent during the period covered by the Red Flag Warning. [1] The affected area includes the Western Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington. [1]
Impacts and Safety Recommendations
Conditions in the affected Colorado zones will be favorable for rapid fire spread. [5] Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark. [5] The Fire Weather Watch applies to zones above and below 9000 feet where west winds and low relative humidity create these conditions. [5] Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire during the watch period. [5]
What to watch next: The Red Flag Warning in the Western Columbia River Gorge remains in effect through Wednesday evening while the Fire Weather Watch for multiple Colorado counties continues from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.
