Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 33, NWS Medford, OR

July 31, 20216 counties in Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Jul 31, 2021, 1:55 PM PDT for 6 counties in Oregon. It took effect at Aug 1, 2021, 2:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 8 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 31, 2021, 1:55 PM PDT (20:55 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 1, 2021, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Aug 1, 2021, 10:00 PM PDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Curry County, OR, Douglas County, OR, Jackson County, OR, Josephine County, OR, Klamath County, OR, Lake County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:55 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, 8.9 hours before the alert went out and 37 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 2021-07-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 5 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 12:00Z on 2021-07-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 17 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
5 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-620 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2087 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
17 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
72 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

013 
WWUS86 KMFR 312055
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
155 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected in the afternoons
and evenings this weekend...

.Southerly flow will continue to bring moisture into the area. The
heat and moisture will combine to support isolated to scattered
thunderstorms each afternoon and evening this weekend. With
critically dry fuels in these areas, numerous fire starts are
likely.

ORZ625-010500-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.A.0025.210801T2100Z-210802T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0032.210731T2100Z-210801T0500Z/
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern Lake
and Western Harney Counties-
155 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 625...

* Impacts: Lightning and critically dry vegetation will likely 
  result in new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could 
  contribute to fire spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack 
  resources could be overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected areas For the Red Flag Warning: In South Central OR Fire
  Weather Zones...Western 625 including the communities of Silver
  Lake, Summer Lake, Paisley, and Adel. This also includes the
  Bootleg Fire.

* Additional Details: Storms tomorrow will be isolated in fire
  weather zone 625, prompting the cancellation of the fire weather
  watch.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

&&

$$

ORZ623-624-010900-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0025.210801T2100Z-210802T0500Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0033.210801T2100Z-210802T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0032.210731T2100Z-210801T0500Z/
Southern Oregon Cascades-Klamath Basin and the Fremont-
Winema National Forest-
155 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 623 AND
624...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR
ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 623 AND
624...

The National Weather Service in Medford has upgraded the Fire
Weather Watch on Sunday to a Red Flag Warning...which is in effect
from 2 PM to 10 PM PDT Sunday. The Red Flag Warning for this
evening continues until 10 PM PDT.

* Impacts: Lightning and critically dry vegetation will likely 
  result in new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could 
  contribute to fire spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack 
  resources could be overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected areas For the Red Flag Warning for this evening: In
  South Central OR Fire Weather Zones...623 and 624 including the
  communities of Crater Lake, Union Creek, Howard Prairie, Klamath
  Falls, Chemult, Bly and Lakeview. This includes the Bootleg Fire.

* Affected areas for the Red Flag Warning for Sunday: In South 
  Central Oregon, portions of Fire Weather Zones 623 and 624. This 
  includes the communities of Crater Lake, Howard Prairie, Klamath 
  Falls, Chemult, and Chiloquin. This does NOT include the Bootleg 
  fire.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

&&

$$

CAZ280-ORZ621-622-010500-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0032.210731T2100Z-210801T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-Siskiyou Mountains-
Eastern Rogue Valley-
155 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280...
621 AND 622...

* Impacts:  Lightning and high fire danger will likely result in
new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to fire
spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack resources could be
overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected areas For the Red Flag Warning: In Northern CA Fire
  Weather Zones...280, including the communities of Etna, Fort
  Jones, and Callahan. In Southwest OR...most of Fire Weather Zone
  621, and portions of Fire Weather Zone 622, including the
  communities of Ashland and Butte Falls in the Cascade and
  Siskiyou Mountain Foothills.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
4 follow-up statements
082 
WWUS86 KMFR 010456
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
956 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected Sunday afternoon
   and evening...

.Southerly flow will continue to bring moisture into the area. The
heat and moisture will combine to support isolated to scattered
thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening. With critically dry
fuels in these areas, numerous fire starts are likely.

ORZ623-624-012200-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0032.000000T0000Z-210801T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0033.210801T2100Z-210802T0500Z/
Southern Oregon Cascades-Klamath Basin and the Fremont-
Winema National Forest-
956 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT
   SUNDAY FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER
   ZONES 623 AND 624... 
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR 
   ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 623 
   AND 624...

* Impacts:  Lightning and high fire danger will likely result in
  new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to 
  fire spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack resources could 
  be overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected areas for the Red Flag Warning: In South Central 
  Oregon, portions of Fire Weather Zones 623 and 624. This
  includes Crater Lake, Howard Prairie, Klamath Falls, Chemult,
  and Chiloquin. This does NOT include the Bootleg fire.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

&&

$$

CAZ280-ORZ621-622-625-010600-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0032.000000T0000Z-210801T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-Siskiyou Mountains-
Eastern Rogue Valley-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern Lake
and Western Harney Counties-
956 PM PDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
   ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280...
   621...622 AND 625...

Only a few thunderstorms remain active at this time, and those
will end soon. 

$$

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
969 
WWUS86 KMFR 010722
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
1222 AM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon and
evening...

.Southerly flow will continue to bring moisture into the area. The
heat and moisture will combine to support isolated to scattered
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. With critically dry 
fuels in these areas, numerous fire starts are likely.

ORZ620-622-020500-
/O.EXA.KMFR.FW.W.0033.210801T2100Z-210802T0500Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Eastern Rogue Valley-
1222 AM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 PM
PDT THIS EVENING FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 620 AND 622...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM this afternoon to 10 PM PDT
this evening.

* Impacts:  Lightning and high fire danger will likely result in
new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to fire
spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack resources could be
overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected areas for the Red Flag Warning: In Southwestern Oregon,
  Fire Weather Zones 620 and 622 including the communities of Cave
  Junction, Grants Pass, Medford, and Prospect. 

* Thunderstorms: Storms are expected to form near the California-
  Oregon border and move from south to north during the afternoon.
 
* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is always a fire. It means 
that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or 
will shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which 
may become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire 
threatens.

$$

ORZ623-624-020500-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0033.210801T2100Z-210802T0500Z/
Southern Oregon Cascades-Klamath Basin and the Fremont-
Winema National Forest-
1222 AM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 623 AND PORTIONS OF 624...

* Impacts:  Lightning and high fire danger will likely result in
new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to fire
spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack resources could be
overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected areas for the Red Flag Warning: In South Central
Oregon, portions of Fire Weather Zones 623 and 624. This includes
Crater Lake, Howard Prairie, Klamath Falls, Chemult, and
Chiloquin. This does NOT include the Bootleg fire.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is always a fire. It means 
that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or 
will shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which 
may become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire 
threatens.

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
341 
WWUS86 KMFR 012142
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
242 PM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...Isolated to scattered thunderstorms expected this afternoon and
evening across FWZs 620, 622, 623, and northwestern 624...

...Scattered thunderstorms expected in FWZ 625 Monday afternoon and
evening...

.Southerly flow will continue to bring moisture into the area. The
heat and moisture will combine with a couple of low pressure 
impulses moving through aloft to support isolated to scattered 
thunderstorms this afternoon and evening and again, further 
northeastward, Monday afternoon and evening. With critically dry 
fuels in these areas, numerous fire starts are likely.

ORZ625-021400-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0034.210802T2100Z-210803T0300Z/
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern Lake
and Western Harney Counties-
242 PM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY FOR
ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 625...

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

* Impacts: Lightning on dry fuels is likely to result in new fire
  starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to fire spread.
  Despite localized wetting rainfall in storm cores, initial attack
  resources could be overwhelmed and holdover fires are likely.

* Affected area: 
  In South Central OR...Fire Weather Zone 625.

* Wind: Southerly 5-10 mph, except gusty and erratic wind gusts 30
  to 40 mph in stronger thunderstorms.

* Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms are expected to begin to develop
  near Silver Lake and Summer Lake early in the afternoon and then
  expand in area and coverage across FWZ 625 through the afternoon
  and into the evening.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

&&

$$

ORZ620-622>624-020500-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0033.000000T0000Z-210802T0500Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
242 PM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620,
622, 623 AND PORTIONS OF 624...

* Impacts: Lightning on dry fuels is likely to result in new fire
  starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to fire spread.
  Despite localized wetting rainfall in storm cores, initial attack
  resources could be overwhelmed and holdover fires are likely.

* Affected areas for the Red Flag Warning: In Southwestern Oregon,
  Fire Weather Zones 620 and 622 including the Illinois Valley
  including Cave Junction and Grants Pass, and the Applegate Valley
  northward to Phoenix, Medford to Prospect. In South Central 
  Oregon, portions of Fire Weather Zones 623 and 624. This includes
  Crater Lake, Howard Prairie, Klamath Falls, Chemult, and 
  Chiloquin. This does NOT include the Bootleg fire.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

$$
BTL

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
725 
WWUS86 KMFR 020455
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
955 PM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...Scattered thunderstorms expected in FWZ 625 Monday afternoon 
   and evening...

.Southerly flow will continue to bring moisture into the area. The
heat and moisture will combine with upper level disturbances to
support isolated to scattered thunderstorms Monday afternoon and 
evening. With critically dry fuels in these areas, numerous fire 
starts are likely.

ORZ620-622>624-020600-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0033.000000T0000Z-210802T0500Z/
Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley-
Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
955 PM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
   ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 
   622, 623 AND PORTIONS OF 624...

Thunderstorms have diminished over the area.

$$

ORZ625-022200-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0034.210802T2100Z-210803T0300Z/
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern Lake
and Western Harney Counties-
955 PM PDT Sun Aug 1 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT MONDAY
   FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS...

* Impacts: Lightning and high fire danger will likely result in new
  fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to firespread.
  Despite rainfall, initial attack resources could be overwhelmed 
  and holdover fires are possible.

* Affected area: 
  In South Central OR...Fire Weather Zone 625.

* Wind: Southerly 5-10 mph, except gusty and erratic wind gusts
  30 to 40 mph in stronger thunderstorms.

* Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms are expected to begin to develop
  near Silver Lake and Summer Lake early in the afternoon and then
  expand in area and coverage across FWZ 625 through the afternoon
  and into the evening.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

$$

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 30, 5:16 PM PDTFlash Flood WarningMFRJosephine59 min

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2021Every red flag warning in 2021

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.