Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2017

Red Flag Warning 42, NWS Medford, OR

August 31, 20175 counties in Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Aug 31, 2017, 2:11 PM PDT for 5 counties in Oregon. It took effect at Sep 1, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 7 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 31, 2017, 2:11 PM PDT (21:11 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 1, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT
Expired
Sep 1, 2017, 8:00 PM PDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Coos County, OR, Curry County, OR, Douglas County, OR, Jackson County, OR, Josephine County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:14 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 12:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 75 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 12:00Z on 2017-08-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2017-08-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 12 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1658 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
35 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
42 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

467 
WWUS86 KMFR 312111
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

ORZ621-011330-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Siskiyou Mountains-
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET IN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
621... 
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY 
FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 621...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM PDT Friday. 

* Affected area...Tonight...elevations above 4000 feet in fire Weather
  Zone 621. Friday...areas west of Mount Ashland in Fire Weather 
  Zone 621.
 
* Wind...Tonight...East 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

* Humidity...Tonight...20 to 30 percent. Friday afternoon....around
  15 percent.

* Haines...6 on Friday afternoon.

* Impacts...Tonight...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.
  Friday afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead 
  to plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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>620-011330-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE 
WEATHER ZONES 618...619 AND WESTERN 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR
FIRE...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONEs
618...619...AND 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR FIRE...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM PDT Friday. 

* Affected area...Tonight...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. Tomorrow...Most of Fire
  Weather Zones 618...619...and 620 to include the Chetco Bar
  Fire.

* Wind...Tonight...Northeast to East 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 35
  mph. Wind speeds will diminish to around 10 mph Friday
  afternoon.

* Humidity...15 to 25 percent this afternoon with humidity
  recoveries tonight of 25 to 35 percent...lowering to 10 to 20
  percent Friday.

* Haines...6 on Friday afternoon.

* Impacts...Tonight...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.
  Friday afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead
  to plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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 hot temperatures followed
by very dry and unstable conditions, will create extreme fire 
growth potential.

&&

$$

ORZ616-011330-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Umpqua Basin-
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR 
VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR SOUTHERN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
616 TO INCLUDE HORSE PRAIRIE FIRE...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM PDT Friday. 

* Affected area: Southern fire weather zone 616 to include the
  Horse Prairie Fire. 

* Humidity...Around 15 percent. 

* Haines...6.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
  dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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. Very dry and unstable 
conditions will create extreme fire growth potential.

&&

$$

CAZ280-011330-
/O.EXT.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
9 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES FOR UPPER SLOPES AND RIDGES OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 
280...

* Affected area...Upper slopes and ridges of 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 east 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.

&&

$$

ORZ617-623-011330-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.A.0034.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.170901T0300Z-170901T1600Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Southern Oregon Cascades-
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 623 AND EASTERN 617... 
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH 
SATURDAY EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE 
WEATHER ZONES 617 AND 623 TO INCLUDE THE NORTH PELICAN BUTTE, HIGH
CASCADES COMPLEX, AND NORTH UMPQUA COMPLEX WILDFIRES...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather
Watch, which is in effect from Saturday afternoon through
Saturday evening. 

* Affected area...Tonight...Fire weather zone 623 and eastern 617.
  Saturday...Most of Fire Weather Zones 617 and 623 to include the
  North Pelican Butte, High Cascades Complex, and North Umpqua
  Complex wildfires. 

* Wind...Tonight...east 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

* Humidity...Tonight...20 to 30 percent. Saturday afternoon...12 
  to 20 percent.

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...Tonight...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.
  Saturday afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could 
  lead to plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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.

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

&&

$$

ORZ624-011330-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.A.0034.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
211 PM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE 
WEATHER ZONE 624 TO INCLUDE THE JADE CREEK AND NAYLOX FIRES...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather
Watch, which is in effect from Saturday afternoon through
Saturday evening. 

* Affected area: Fire weather zone 624 

* Humidity...10 to 15 percent.

* Haines...6

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
  dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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.

&&

$$

SK
Visit us at www.weather.gov/medford
4 follow-up statements
042 
WWUS86 KMFR 011129
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

ORZ617-623-012330-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0034.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0043.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Southern Oregon Cascades-
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING
FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 617 AND 623...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR 
VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 617 AND 
623...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM PDT Saturday. The
Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded. 

* Affected area...This morning...fire weather zone 623 and the
  eastern portion of zone 617. Saturday...Most of fire weather zones
  617 and 623 to include the North Pelican Butte, High Cascades 
  Complex, and North Umpqua Complex wildfires. 

* Wind...This morning...east 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

* Humidity...This morning...20 to 30 percent. Saturday
  afternoon...12 to 25 percent. 

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...This morning...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. 
  Saturday afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead
  to plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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.

&&

$$

ORZ624-012330-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0034.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0043.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR
VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 624...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM PDT Saturday. The
Fire Weather Watch has been upgraded. 

* Affected area: Fire weather zone 624 to include the Jade Creek
  and Naylox wildfires.

* Humidity...10 to 15 percent.

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to 
  plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread. 

* 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.

&&

$$

ORZ621-012330-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Siskiyou Mountains-
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING
FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET IN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 621...
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 621...

* Affected area...This morning...elevations above 4000 feet in
  fire weather zone 621. This afternoon...areas west of Mount
  Ashland in fire weather zone 621.

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

* Humidity...This morning...20 to 30 percent. This afternoon.... 
  around 15 percent. 

* Haines...6 this afternoon.

* Impacts...This morning...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. This 
  afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead to 
  plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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>620-012330-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING
FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR 
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 618...619 AND 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR
FIRE...
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 618...619 AND 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR FIRE...

* Affected area...This morning...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. This
  afternoon...Most of Fire Weather Zones 618...619...and 620 to
  include the Chetco Bar Fire.

* Wind...This morning...Northeast to East 10 to 20 mph with gusts
  to 35 mph. Wind speeds will diminish to around 10 mph this 
  afternoon.

* Humidity...Recoveries of 25 to 35 percent this
  morning...lowering to 10 to 20 percent this afternoon.

* Haines...6 this afternoon.

* Impacts...This morning...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. This
  afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead to 
  plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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 hot temperatures followed
by very dry and unstable conditions, will create extreme fire
growth potential.

&&

$$

CAZ280-011600-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING
FOR COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
FOR UPPER SLOPES AND RIDGES OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...

* Affected area...Upper slopes and ridges of 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 east 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.

&&

$$

ORZ616-012330-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Umpqua Basin-
429 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 616 TO INCLUDE THE HORSE PRAIRIE FIRE...

* Affected area: Southern fire weather zone 616 to include the 
  Horse Prairie Fire.

* Humidity...Around 15 percent.

* Haines...6.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to 
  plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread. 

* 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. Very dry and unstable
conditions will create extreme fire growth potential.

&&

$$
DW

Visit us at www.weather.gov/medford
328 
WWUS86 KMFR 011607
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017


ORZ621-020300-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Siskiyou Mountains-
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 621...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR
ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET IN FIRE WEATHER ZONE 621...

* Affected area...Fire zone 621 including the Miller Complex. 

* Haines...6 this afternoon.

* Impacts...Gusty northeast winds are expected to diminish this 
  morning. This afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could 
  lead to plume- dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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>620-020300-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest-
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 618...619 AND 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR FIRE...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 618...619 AND 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR FIRE...

* Affected area...Most of Fire Weather Zones 618...619...and 620 
  to include the Chetco Bar Fire.

* Wind...This morning...Northeast to East 10 to 20 mph. Wind 
  speeds will diminish to around 10 mph this afternoon.

* Humidity...Lowering to 10 to 20 percent this afternoon.

* Haines...6 this afternoon.

* Impacts...This morning...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. This
afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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 hot temperatures followed
by very dry and unstable conditions, will create extreme fire
growth potential.

&&

$$

ORZ617-623-020300-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0043.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Southern Oregon Cascades-
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR 
VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 617 AND 
623...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 617 AND 623...

* Affected area...Most of fire weather zones 617 and 623 to 
  include the North Pelican Butte, High Cascades Complex, and North
  Umpqua Complex wildfires.

* Wind...This morning...east 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

* Humidity...This morning...20 to 30 percent. Saturday afternoon...
 12 to 25 percent.

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...This morning...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.
Saturday afternoon...very dry and unstable conditions could lead
to plume-dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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.

&&

$$

CAZ280-011715-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-170901T1600Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 AM PDT THIS MORNING FOR
COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES FOR UPPER
SLOPES AND RIDGES OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...

Moderate northeast winds will diminish this morning. 

$$

ORZ616-020300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.170901T2000Z-170902T0300Z/
Umpqua Basin-
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 616 TO INCLUDE THE HORSE PRAIRIE FIRE...

* Affected area: Southern fire weather zone 616 to include the 
  Horse Prairie Fire.

* Humidity...Around 15 percent.

* Haines...6.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

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


$$

ORZ624-020300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0043.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
907 AM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT
SATURDAY FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
624...

* Affected area: Fire weather zone 624 to include the Jade Creek
  and Naylox wildfires.

* Humidity...10 to 15 percent.

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

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


$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
926 
WWUS86 KMFR 012058
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
158 PM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

ORZ616-618>621-020300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.000000T0000Z-170902T0300Z/
Umpqua Basin-Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Siskiyou Mountains-
158 PM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
621...SOUTHERN 616...618...619...AND 620 TO INCLUDE THE CHETCO BAR
FIRE...HORSE PRAIRIE FIRE...AND MILLER COMPLEX...

* Affected area...Most of Fire Weather Zones 618...619...621...620
  and southern 616 to include the Chetco Bar Fire, Horse Prairie 
  Fire and Miller Complex.

* Haines...6 this afternoon.

* Humidity...10 to 15 percent.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume- 
  dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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. Very dry and unstable 
conditions will create extreme fire growth potential.

$$

ORZ617-623-624-021300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0043.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Southern Oregon Cascades-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
158 PM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT
SATURDAY FOR VERY DRY AND UNSTABLE HAINES 6 FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
617...623..624 TO INCLUDE THE NORTH PELICAN BUTTE...HIGH CASCADES 
COMPLEX...NORTH UMPQUA COMPLEX...RATTLESNAKE...NAYLOX...AND JADE 
CREEK WILDFIRES...

* Affected area: Most of fire weather zones 617, 623, and 624 to
  include the North Pelican Butte, High Cascades Complex, North
  Umpqua Complex, Naylox, Rattlesnake, and Jade Creek wildfires.

* Humidity...10 to 17 percent Saturday afternoon.

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

* 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. Very dry and unstable 
conditions will create extreme fire growth potential.

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
530 
WWUS86 KMFR 020300
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
800 PM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

ORZ616-618>621-020400-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0042.000000T0000Z-170902T0300Z/
Umpqua Basin-Southern Oregon Coast-Western Rogue River-
Siskiyou National Forest-
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Siskiyou Mountains-
800 PM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
HAINES 6 WITH EXISTING FIRE FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 616...618...
619...620 AND 621...

The area of high HAINES will move east of the area on Saturday.

$$

ORZ617-623-624-021500-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0043.170902T2000Z-170903T0300Z/
Umpqua National Forest-Southern Oregon Cascades-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
800 PM PDT Fri Sep 1 2017

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM PDT
SATURDAY FOR HAINES 6 WITH EXISTING FIRE FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
617...623 AND 624...

* Affected area: 
  In South Central OR Fire Zone....624.
  In Southwest OR Fire Zones...617...623.

* Humidity...10 to 17 percent Saturday afternoon.

* Haines...6 Saturday afternoon.

* Impacts...Very dry and unstable conditions could lead to plume-
dominated fire activity and rapid fire spread.

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

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

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Aug 31, 9:00 AM PDT, 5 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 31, 9:00 AM PDT, 5 hours 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
900 AM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017

.UPDATE...A few updates were needed this morning to bring clouds
into line with satellite observations. Otherwise, the forecast
appears to be on track. Heat will begin to build under high
pressure today, and this will only intensify into the weekend, and
although there has been some improvement for portions of the area,
smoke will return to most areas, becoming a nuisance yet again.

For more information on this and the rest of the forecast, see the
previous discussion below. -BPN

&&

.AVIATION...31/12Z TAF CYCLE...Along the coast and coastal
waters...IFR cigs/vsbys are mainly beyond 5 NM offshore early this
morning but with areas at the coast north of Cape Blanco. This
stratus will gradually erode near shore during the morning. With the
thermal trough expected over Curry County coast, strong north winds
are expected at OTH and sustained winds could reach 20 knots with
gust to around 30 knots this afternoon. As a result of the offshore
winds, conditions should remain VFR tonight. Over the remainder of
the area...IFR visibilities with the thickest smoke will persist in
southern Curry County and western Siskiyou County. Areas of MVFR
visibilities from wildfire smoke will persist through
Thursday...mainly elsewhere in northern California and into south
central Oregon including KLMT. There will be a gradual worsening
trend into early afternoon then improvement late in the day into the
evening. -DW

&&

.MARINE...Updated 900 AM PDT Thursday 31 August 2017...The latest
observations at buoy 27 shows breezy north winds. So far they are
below small craft, but we expect winds there to increase to small
craft late this morning through this afternoon. Made some
adjustments to the winds today, mainly to decrease them some near
the shore, otherwise the forecast is on track with respect to the
coverage area of the small craft conditions and start time of gales.
High pressure offshore and a thermal trough along the coast will
bring strong north winds and steep to very steep short period seas
into Saturday morning. Winds are expected to reach gale force south
of Port Orford beyond 5 nm from shore around midday. Gales and very
steep wind driven seas are likely to peak this evening but linger
into Friday morning. The thermal trough is expected to drift
westward over the coastal waters Saturday and Sunday leading to
lighter winds and diminished seas. North Winds will briefly increase
on Monday. Winds and seas are likely to decrease on Tuesday with
seas becoming swell dominated on Wednesday for the first time in
quite a while. -DW

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Updated 500 AM PDT Thursday 31 August 2017...

Stronger low level northwest winds brought temporary improvement in
air quality into southwest Oregon, but improvement was less
noticeable in south central Oregon and northern California. Smoke
will gradually thicken south and east of the Umpqua Divide this
morning then northerly flow should bring improvement in southwest
Oregon and north of Chiloquin this evening.

There are a number of fire weather concerns:  Gusty easterly winds
with low humidity this afternoon roughly in the area west of
Interstate 5, stronger easterly winds with poor to moderate humidity
recovery tonight, very hot temperatures Friday through Monday with
hot temperatures today and Tuesday/Wednesday, the potential for high
level Haines 6 conditions near the Chetco Bar Fire/Kalmiopsis
Wilderness on Friday and then much of the area east of the Cascades
on Saturday, and finally...the potential for a daily
risk of thunderstorms next week on Sunday through Thursday.

Easterly winds developed overnight and become gusty over the Coast
Range and Western Siskiyou County. A dry air mass will gradually
descend over those areas, with low humidity on ridges early today.
Northeast winds will increase this afternoon and humidity will be
very low, so a Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the solid
moderate-strength Chetco Effect event from noon continuing through
early Friday morning. The Cascades, Siskiyous, and Western Siskiyou
County will also see gusty overnight winds and poor humidity
recoveries tonight, and they are included in the Red Flag Warning.
Northeast/east winds do diminish toward the coast during the day on
Friday, but we are not expecting moist onshore winds to affect much
of the Chetco Bar fire. Instead, conditions on Friday become hot,
dry, and unstable with generally lighter winds for much of the
forecast area as the thermal trough begins to nudge inland. This
continues into Saturday with High Haines Index values expected to be
5 to 6 in southwest Oregon on Friday and east of the Cascades on
Saturday.

Note that the air mass this weekend will be one of the hottest and
driest so far this summer, and certainly in the hottest 5% for this
time of year. Smoke will no doubt limit the amount of heating we get
at the surface, but clearer areas should be dangerously hot. Fire
crews will be impacted by heat even in the higher terrain areas.

The models are showing increasing monsoonal moisture moving up on
the backside of the ridge into our area Sunday along with a weak to
moderate trigger. This brings the possibility of thunderstorms back
into the picture. Next Monday and Tuesday now look more favorable
than Sunday for thunderstorms, and an unstable air mass will  likely
persist through Thursday. -SK/DW

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 350 AM PDT Thu Aug 31 2017/

DISCUSSION...Its going to get hot again. However, this is not
very unusual for this time of year, and although we will approach
near record highs, we should remain below records for the stretch.
The same pattern that has kept Harvey dumping massive amounts of
rain over a broad area will also keep an upper level ridge over
the west coast through the weekend. On the bright side, the
northwesterly flow that moved in behind the exiting trough has
pushed the dense smoke out of most of the west side of Oregon and
that is expected to remain so into the weekend. A thetrmal trough
deepens again on the southern coast, with offshore flow returning
this morning, and spreading across the east side by Friday
morning. This will continue to push the smoke from the biggest
fires on the southern coastal ranges west but bring smoke from
smaller fires in the Cascades and the east side into the west side
through the weekend. The fires in the Cascades are currently
producing much less smoke than the fires near the coast however.
With this in mind most of Oregon North of the Siskiyous will see a
nice weekend except for the heat with river flows remaining high
compared to the last number of years of drought. It will seem very
peaceful on the rivers and lakes, but the flows are still strong
in places and can carry you off quickly, so always wear a lifevest
when playing on or in the water.

With the decreased smoke cover over Oregon as projected by the
HRR smoke models have adjusted the high temps closer to the
guidance. The Chetco winds will remain through the day and into
the evening tonight. The flow will remain strong overnight into
Friday and have adjusted the low temperature at the extreme
southern coast, especially Brookings, up well above guidance
Friday Morning. The thermal trough moves inland Friday, allowing
some onshore flow relief to that area Later Friday.

The thermal trough deepens along the coast again Saturday, and
with the easterly flow pushing the smoke from the biggest fires in
the southwest forecast area to the southwest have kept the
forecast highs close to guidance, with the only thing that might
keep those lower is increased fire activity on the further inland
fires that could produce more smoke.

The upper ridge moves inland just enough to combine with a
deepeningupper trough offshore to start to feed moist unstable
air and bring the possibility of more thunderstorms from Sunday
through the middle of next week. Sven

&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Red Flag Warning from noon today to 9 AM PDT Friday for
     ORZ618>620.
     Excessive Heat Watch from Friday morning through Sunday evening
     for ORZ021>028.
     Red Flag Warning from 8 PM this evening to 9 AM PDT Friday for
     ORZ617-621-623.

CA...     Excessive Heat Watch from Friday morning through Sunday evening
     for CAZ080>083.
     Red Flag Warning from 8 PM this evening to 9 AM PDT Friday for
     CAZ280.

Pacific Coastal Waters...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT Friday for PZZ356-376.
     Gale Warning until 8 AM PDT Friday for PZZ356-376.
     Small Craft Advisory for hazardous seas from 8 AM to 11 PM PDT
     Friday for PZZ350-356-370-376.
     Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT Friday for PZZ350-370.
     Hazardous Seas Warning from 8 AM to 11 PM PDT Friday for PZZ376.

BPN/SBN/DW/MAP/NSK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 31, 3:05 AM PDTHazardous Seas WarningMFR44 hr
Aug 31, 3:05 AM PDTSmall Craft Advisory for Hazardous SeasMFR56 hr
Aug 31, 1:23 PM PDTExcessive Heat WarningMFRCoos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath58 hr
Aug 31, 1:23 PM PDTHeat AdvisoryMFRCoos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath4 days
Aug 31, 2:11 PM PDTFire Weather WatchMFRDouglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Lane14 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 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.