Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 39, NWS Medford, OR

August 30, 2017Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, California

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Aug 30, 2017, 4:31 AM PDT for Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, California. It took effect at Aug 30, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 30, 2017, 4:31 AM PDT (11:31 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 30, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT
Expired
Aug 30, 2017, 7:00 PM PDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Modoc County, CA, Harney County, OR, Klamath County, OR, Lake County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 194 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:30 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Medford/Jackson, OR (KMFR), launched 00:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 195 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Medford/Jackson, OR at 00:00Z on 2017-08-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 6 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 00:00Z on 2017-08-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -55 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
6 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-622 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
3571 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-55 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
53 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

886 
WWUS86 KMFR 301131
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
431 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

CAZ285-ORZ624-625-302345-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0039.170830T2000Z-170831T0200Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern
Lake and Western Harney Counties-
431 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM
PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW 
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285...624 AND 625...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM PDT
this evening. 

* Counties affected: In Northern CA...Modoc. In South Central
  OR...Lake. 

* Affected area: In Northern CA...Fire Weather Zone 285 along both
  sides of US Highway 395 and eastward to the Warner
  Mountains...including Alturas. In South Central OR...Fire
  Weather Zones 624 and 625...in the Fremont-Winema National
  Forest along both sides of US Highway 395 southward from Valley
  Falls, and eastward across southeast Lake County...including
  Lakeview. This covers a majority of the area that received 
  lightning strikes on Tuesday evening.

* Wind...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph this
  afternoon into the early evening.

* Minimum Relative Humidity...9 to 15 percent.

* Impacts...Very dry vegetation combined with gusty southwest 
  winds, low relative humidity, and unstable conditions will 
  lead to the potential for rapid fire growth on existing 
  wildfires and any new starts this afternoon and early evening.

* View the hazard area in detail at
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential. 

&&

$$

ORZ618-619-302345-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.A.0033.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
431 AM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING FOR THE COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW 
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 618 AND 619...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather
Watch, which is in effect from Thursday evening through Friday
morning. 

* Affected area: The portion of fire weather zones 618 and 619
  inland from the beaches in Curry County, including the Chetco
  Bar Fire. 

* Wind...Northeast 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Maximum Relative Humidity...Relative humidity recovery of 30 to
  40 percent is expected at mid slopes and ridge tops on Friday
  morning.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity and  
  very high fire danger will contribute to the potential for 
  significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

&&

$$
DW

Visit us at www.weather.gov/medford
2 follow-up statements
894 
WWUS86 KMFR 302145
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
245 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

ORZ618-619-311200-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0033.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170831T1900Z-170901T1600Z/
Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
245 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON THURSDAY TO 9 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 618 AND 619...

The National Weather Service in Medford has upgraded the Fire 
Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon
Thursday to 9 AM PDT Friday. 

* Affected area...Portions of fire weather zones 618 and 619 
  inland from the beaches in Curry County, including the Chetco 
  Bar Fire. Higher terrain areas will see the strongest winds and 
  low humidity.

* Wind...Northeast 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Maximum Relative Humidity...15 to 25 percent Thursday afternoon
  with humidity recoveries Thursday night of 25 to 35 percent. 

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at  
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential. 

&&

$$

CAZ280-311200-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
245 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THURSDAY TO 9 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY EAST WINDS AND LOW OVERNIGHT HUMIDITY RECOVERY
FOR UPPER SLOPES AND RIDGES OF WESTERN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 8 PM Thursday to 9 AM PDT
Friday. 

* Affected area...Upper slopes and ridges of Western Fire Weather
  Zone 280 in Western Siskiyou County.

* Wind...East 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* Humidity...20 to 30 percent.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions 
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong
winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create 
extreme fire growth potential. 

&&

$$

ORZ617-621-623-311200-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Siskiyou Mountains-
Southern Oregon Cascades-
245 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THURSDAY TO 9 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY EAST WINDS AND LOW OVERNIGHT HUMIDITY RECOVERY
FOR HIGHER TERRAIN AREAS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONES 621...623...AND 
EASTERN 617...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 8 PM Thursday to 9 AM PDT
Friday. 

* Affected area...Higher terrain areas of fire weather zones 
  621...623 and eastern 617.

* Wind...East 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

* Humidity...20 to 30 percent.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions 
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong
winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create 
extreme fire growth potential.  

&&

$$

ORZ620-311200-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170831T1900Z-170901T1600Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
245 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON THURSDAY TO 9 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR GUSTY EAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR HIGHER TERRAIN
AREAS OF WESTERN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 620...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from noon Thursday to 9 AM PDT
Friday. 

* Affected area...High terrain areas of western fire weather zone
  620. 

* Wind...East 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* Humidity...15 to 25 percent Thursday afternoon with humidity 
  recoveries Thursday night of 25 to 35 percent. 

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at  
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential. 

&&

$$

CAZ285-ORZ624-625-310200-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0039.000000T0000Z-170831T0200Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern
Lake and Western Harney Counties-
245 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR EASTERN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 285
AND SOUTHERN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 624 AND 625...

* Affected area...Eastern Fire Weather Zone 285...southeastern 
  Fire Weather Zone 624...and southern Fire Weather Zone 625.

* Wind...Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph this
  afternoon into the early evening.

* Minimum Relative Humidity...8 to 12 percent.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential. 

&&

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/medford
640 
WWUS86 KMFR 310211
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
711 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

CAZ285-ORZ624-625-310315-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0039.000000T0000Z-170831T0200Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern
Lake and Western Harney Counties-
711 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS
AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285...624 AND
625...

Red Flag Warning for the combination of strong winds and low
relative humidity for fire weather zones 285, 624 and 625 have
expired. Winds will continue to decrease with relative humidities
rising overnight.

$$

CAZ280-311415-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
711 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THURSDAY TO 9 AM
PDT FRIDAY FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...

* Affected area...Upper slopes and ridges of western Fire Weather
  Zone 280 in western Siskiyou County.

* Wind...East 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

* Humidity...20 to 30 percent.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential.

&&

$$

ORZ617-621-623-311415-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Siskiyou Mountains-
Southern Oregon Cascades-
711 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THURSDAY TO 9 AM
PDT FRIDAY FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 617...621 AND 623...

* Affected area...Higher terrain areas of eastern Douglas County
  in the Umpqua National Forest in fire weather zone 617, the
  southern Oregon Cascades in eastern Jackson County in fire
  weather zone 623, and the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Jackson 
  and southern Josephine Counties in fire weather zone 621.

* Wind...East 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

* Humidity...20 to 30 percent.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential.

&&

$$

ORZ618>620-311415-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170831T1900Z-170901T1600Z/
Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
711 PM PDT Wed Aug 30 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON THURSDAY TO 9 AM
PDT FRIDAY FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 618...619 AND 620...

* Affected area...Inland from the beaches in southern Curry
  County, including the Chetco Bar Fire, in fire weather zones 618
  and 619, and the high terrain of western Josephine County in
  fire weather zone 620. Higher terrain areas will see the
  strongest winds and lowest humidity.

* Wind...Northeast to East 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* Humidity...15 to 25 percent Thursday afternoon with humidity 
  recoveries Thursday night of 25 to 35 percent.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds with low relative humidity 
  and very high fire danger will contribute to the potential 
  for significant spread of new and existing fires.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will
create extreme fire growth potential.

&&

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/medford

The office that day

Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 30, 3:43 AM PDTGale WatchMFR10 hr
Aug 30, 3:43 AM PDTSmall Craft AdvisoryMFR67 hr
Aug 30, 4:31 AM PDTFire Weather WatchMFRCoos, Curry, Josephine10 hr
Aug 30, 1:44 PM PDTExcessive Heat WatchMFRCoos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath24 hr
Aug 30, 1:44 PM PDTGale WarningMFR38 hr
Aug 30, 2:45 PM PDTRed Flag WarningMFRCoos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and 1 more42 hr
Aug 29, 8:33 PM PDTRed Flag WarningMFRModoc87 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2017Red Flag Warnings in California, 2017Every red flag warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.