Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2018

Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Medford, OR

July 25, 2018Curry County, Jackson County, Josephine County, Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Jul 25, 2018, 1:33 PM PDT for Curry County, Jackson County, Josephine County, Oregon. It took effect at Jul 26, 2018, 2:00 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
Jul 25, 2018, 1:33 PM PDT (20:33 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 26, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Jul 26, 2018, 8:00 PM PDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Curry County, OR, Jackson County, OR, Josephine County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 75 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:31 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, 8.6 hours before the alert went out and 58 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 2018-07-25Temperature 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°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2018-07-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 2 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2266 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
54 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

039 
WWUS86 KMFR 252033
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
133 PM PDT Wed Jul 25 2018

...Hot and dry with gusty northwest winds Thursday...

.Thursday will likely be the hottest, driest, and windiest day of
the week for portions of Jackson and Josephine counties. The
strongest northwest winds are expected to be in northwest to
southeast oriented valleys. Some area fires could be impacted by
these very dry and breezy conditions.

ORZ620-622-260845-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0007.180726T2100Z-180727T0200Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0013.180726T2100Z-180727T0200Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Eastern Rogue Valley-
133 PM PDT Wed Jul 25 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 7 PM PDT THURSDAY FOR
GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RH...

The National Weather Service in Medford has upgraded the Fire
Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM
to 7 PM PDT Thursday.

* Impacts: Strong, gusty northwest winds with low relative 
  humidity and high fire danger will likely contribute to a 
  significant spread of new and existing fires.

* Affected area: In fire weather zone 620...Eastern half of the
  zone including the northern portions of the Illinois Valley and
  sections of the Applegate Valley. In fire weather zone 622...
  The entire zone excluding the west facing slopes of the 
  Cascades. It includes all major valleys and all areas up to 
  roughly 3000 feet. 

* Affected fires: Garner Complex
 
* Counties affected: 
  In Southwest OR...Most of Jackson and Eastern Josephine to
  include the cities of Grants Pass...Medford...Ashland.

* Wind: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 12 to 16 percent.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

&&

$$

Visit us at www.weather.gov/medford
5 follow-up statements
159 
WWUS86 KMFR 260348
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
848 PM PDT Wed Jul 25 2018

...Hot and dry with gusty northwest winds Thursday...

.Thursday will likely be the hottest, driest, and windiest day of
the week for portions of Jackson and Josephine counties. The
strongest northwest winds are expected to be in northwest to
southeast oriented valleys. Some area fires could be impacted by
these very dry and breezy conditions.

ORZ620-622-261800-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.180726T2100Z-180727T0200Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Eastern Rogue Valley-
848 PM PDT Wed Jul 25 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 7 PM PDT
THURSDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RH...

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and high
  fire danger will likely contribute to a significant spread of 
  new and existing fires.

* Affected area: In fire weather zone 620...Eastern half of the
  zone including the northern portions of the Illinois Valley and
  sections of the Applegate Valley. In fire weather zone 622...
  The entire zone excluding the west facing slopes of the 
  Cascades. It includes all major valleys and all areas up to 
  roughly 3000 feet. 

* Affected fires: Garner Complex
 
* Counties affected: 
  In Southwest OR...Most of Jackson and Eastern Josephine to
  include the cities of Grants Pass...Medford...Ashland.

* Wind: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 12 to 16 percent.

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

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
339 
WWUS86 KMFR 261052
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
352 AM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

ORZ620-622-270300-
/O.EXT.KMFR.FW.W.0013.180726T2100Z-180727T0300Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Eastern Rogue Valley-
352 AM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 8 PM
PDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF
FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620 AND 622...

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and high
  fire danger will likely contribute to a significant spread of 
  new and existing fires.

* Affected area: In fire weather zone 620...Eastern half of the
  zone including the northern portions of the Illinois Valley and
  sections of the Applegate Valley. In fire weather zone 622...
  The entire zone excluding the west facing slopes of the 
  Cascades. It includes all major valleys and all areas up to 
  roughly 3000 feet. 

* Affected fires: Garner Complex
 
* Counties affected: 
  In Southwest OR...Most of Jackson and Eastern Josephine to
  include the cities of Grants Pass...Medford...Ashland.

* Wind: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 12 to 16 percent.

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

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
419 
WWUS86 KMFR 262243
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
343 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...A combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds, and
unstable conditions will create the potential for extreme fire
growth...

.Low relative humidity, gusty winds, and unstable conditions will
combine to create the possibility of significant spread of new and
existing fires. In addition, spotting and periods of plume
dominated growth will be possible both this afternoon and Friday
afternoon.

ORZ620-270315-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0014.180727T2100Z-180728T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180727T0300Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
343 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 620...

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR
STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH AND HAINES 5 WITH EXISTING FIRE FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 620...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM to 8 PM PDT Friday.

* Impacts: Breezy winds, low relative humidity, and unstable
  conditions will combine with high fire danger and will  
  contribute to a significant spread of new and existing fires. 
 
* Affected area Today and Friday: In fire weather zone 
  620...Eastern half of the zone including the northern portions of
  the Illinois Valley and sections of the Applegate Valley. 

* Affected fires: Garner Complex

* Counties affected: Eastern Josephine to include the cities of 
  Grants Pass.

* Wind: North 5 to 10 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 10 to 15 percent.

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

&&

$$

ORZ622-270300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180727T0300Z/
Eastern Rogue Valley-
343 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 622...

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and high
  fire danger will contribute to a significant spread of new fires.

* Affected area: The entire zone 622 excluding the west facing 
  slopes of the Cascades. It includes all major valleys and all 
  areas up to roughly 3000 feet. 

* Counties affected: Jackson, including the Cities of Medford and
  Ashland.

* Wind: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 12 to 16 percent.

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

$$

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
427 
WWUS86 KMFR 270312
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
812 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...A combination of continued low relative humidity, gusty winds, 
and unstable conditions will create the potential for significant 
fire growth Friday afternoon and evening...

.Low relative humidity, gusty winds, and unstable conditions will
combine to create the possibility of significant spread of new and
existing fires. In addition, periods of plume dominated growth and
spotting will be possible Friday afternoon and evening.

ORZ620-271900-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180727T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.180727T2100Z-180728T0300Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
812 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY
FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HAINES 5 CONDITIONS FOR 
PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 620 INCLUDING THE GARNER COMPLEX...

* Impacts: Gusty afternoon and evening wind with low relative
  humidity along with Haines 5 conditions is likely contribute to 
  a significant spread of new and existing fires.

* Affected area: Portions of Fire Weather Zone 620, including the
  Garner Complex, the northern portions of the Illinois Valley
  including Wilderville, and sections of the Applegate Valley, and
  the Rogue Rover Valley at and around Grants Pass and Merlin.

* Affected fires: Garner Complex

* Counties affected: 
  In Southwest OR...Curry...Jackson...Josephine.

* Wind: North 5 to 12 mph with gusts 10 to20 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 10 to 15 percent.

* Haines Index: 5 (Moderate).

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

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Gusty winds and low relative humidities will cause fires to spread
very rapidly. 

Haines level of 5 means that conditions are moderately conducive 
to plume dominated fire.

&&

$$

ORZ622-270415-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180727T0300Z/
Eastern Rogue Valley-
812 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY
FOR PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 622...

Winds have become light and RHs have risen enough that the Red 
Flag Warning for this area has been allowed to expire.

$$

BTL

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
984 
WWUS86 KMFR 270317 CCA
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Medford OR
817 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

Corrected wording...

...A combination of continued low relative humidity, gusty winds, 
and unstable conditions will create the potential for significant 
fire growth Friday afternoon and evening...

.Low relative humidity, gusty winds, and unstable conditions will
combine to create the possibility of significant spread of new and
existing fires. Periods of plume dominated growth and spotting 
will be possible Friday afternoon and evening.

ORZ620-271900-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180727T0300Z/
/O.COR.KMFR.FW.W.0014.180727T2100Z-180728T0300Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
817 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY
FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW HUMIDITY, AND HAINES 5 CONDITIONS FOR 
PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 620 INCLUDING THE GARNER COMPLEX...

* Impacts: Gusty afternoon and evening wind with low relative
  humidity along with Haines 5 conditions is likely contribute to 
  a significant spread of new and existing fires.

* Affected area: Portions of Fire Weather Zone 620, including the
  Garner Complex, the northern portions of the Illinois Valley
  including Wilderville, sections of the Applegate Valley, and the
  Rogue River Valley at and around Grants Pass and Merlin.

* Affected fires: Garner Complex

* Counties affected: 
  In Southwest OR...Curry...Jackson...Josephine.

* Wind: North 5 to 12 mph with gusts 10 to 20 mph.

* Afternoon humidity: 10 to 15 percent.

* Haines Index: 5 (Moderate).

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

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Gusty winds and low relative humidities will cause fires to spread
very rapidly. 

Haines level of 5 means that conditions are moderately conducive 
to plume dominated fire due to dryness and instability extending
to well above the surface.

&&

$$

ORZ622-270415-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-180727T0300Z/
Eastern Rogue Valley-
817 PM PDT Thu Jul 26 2018

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY
FOR PORTIONS OF FIRE WEATHER ZONE 622...

Winds have become light and RHs have risen enough that the Red 
Flag Warning for this area has been allowed to expire.

$$

BTL

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 24, 6:16 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRDeschutes29 min
Jul 25, 2:17 AM PDTFire Weather WatchMFRCurry, Jackson, Josephine11 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2018Every red flag warning in 2018

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.