Red Flag Warning Issued for Umpqua National Forest and Southern Oregon Cascades

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A Red Flag Warning is in effect Wednesday for parts of Southern Oregon, including the Umpqua National Forest, as thunderstorms could produce abundant lightning over dry vegetation.

The National Weather Service in Medford said the warning remains in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, for Fire Weather Zones 617, 622 and 623.

The affected area includes portions of Southern Oregon along the Cascades and the western foothills and slopes of the Cascades. The warning covers the Umpqua National Forest, Eastern Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon Cascades.

Thunderstorms are expected to move north to northeast at approximately 20 mph. While most storms are expected to produce rain, forecasters warned that dry lightning strikes could occur outside the storms’ wetter cores. Some stronger thunderstorms may also produce hail.

Isolated thunderstorm outflow gusts could reach 45 mph. Strong, shifting winds near thunderstorms can contribute to rapid and unpredictable fire growth if lightning starts a wildfire.

The National Weather Service said breezy southwest to west winds, lower humidity and unstable conditions are expected to develop during the afternoon and evening hours Thursday through the weekend. Any new fires that start could spread rapidly under those conditions.

Residents and visitors are urged to follow all current fire restrictions and avoid activities that could create sparks.

County emergency alert registration information and links to current fire restrictions are available at weather.gov/medford/wildfire.

A detailed map of the warning area can be viewed at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr.