Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 42, NWS Medford, OR

August 16, 2021Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, Siskiyou County, California

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Aug 16, 2021, 1:45 PM PDT for Harney County, Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, Siskiyou County, California. It took effect at Aug 17, 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
Aug 16, 2021, 1:45 PM PDT (20:45 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 17, 2021, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Aug 17, 2021, 10:00 PM PDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

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

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 156 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:44 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, 8.8 hours before the alert went out and 160 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 2021-08-16Temperature 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 2021-08-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 13 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
1621 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
36 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
13 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
50 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

697 
WWUS86 KMFR 162045
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
145 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

CAZ285-170845-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0030.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0041.210816T2100Z-210817T0500Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
145 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 285...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 285...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM to 10 PM PDT Tuesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
  In Northern CA...Fire Weather Zone 285. This includes the Modoc
National Forest.

* Wind: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Humidity: As low as 10 percent.

* 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.

&&

$$

CAZ280-170845-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.A.0031.210818T2100Z-210819T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
145 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 280...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM to 10 PM PDT Tuesday. A
Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch
is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
 In Northern CA...Fire Weather Zone 280. This includes the Klamath
National Forest.

* Wind: Northeast 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Humidity: As low as 13 percent.

* 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.

If you have not packed your evacuation kit yet, now is the time to
do so. This includes items like important documents and essentials
you cannot live without. Fill your vehicle's fuel tank. Visit
ready.gov/kit for more information.

Plan now to avoid using equipment that could cause sparks during
the period when critical weather conditions are possible. Visit
weather.gov/medford/wildfire for links to fire restrictions in
your area.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could
promote the rapid spread of wildfires which could become life-
threatening. Check weather.gov/medford for forecast updates and a
possible upgrade of the this watch to a Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

CAZ284-ORZ624-625-170845-
/O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0030.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt
Shasta-Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern Lake
and Western Harney Counties-
145 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR
STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 284...624 AND
625...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM to 10 PM PDT Tuesday. The
Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
  In Northern CA Fire Zone....284. This includes the Klamath
National Forest. 
  In South Central OR Fire Zones...624...625. This 
includes the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

* Wind: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Humidity: As low as 10 percent.

* 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.

&&

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
4 follow-up statements
548 
WWUS86 KMFR 170446
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
946 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

CAZ285-172200-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0041.000000T0000Z-210817T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
946 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT
TUESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
285...

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
 In Northern CA...Fire Weather Zone 285. This includes the Modoc
National Forest

* Wind: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Humidity: As low as 10 percent.

* 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.

&&

$$

CAZ280-172200-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.A.0031.210818T2100Z-210819T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
946 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT
TUESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE
280...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and 
  critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread 
  potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: In Northern CA...Portions of Fire Weather Zone 
  280 in the horn of Western Siskiyou County. This includes the 
  Klamath National Forest.

* Wind: Northeast 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Humidity: As low as 13 percent.

* 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.



$$

CAZ284-ORZ624-625-172200-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt
Shasta-Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern Lake
and Western Harney Counties-
946 PM PDT Mon Aug 16 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM PDT
TUESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
284...624 AND 625...

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and 
  critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread 
  potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected areas: In Northern CA, Northeast portions of Fire Zone
  284. This includes north and eastern portions of the Antelope
  Fire and the Klamath National Forest. In South Central OR, Most
  of Fire Zone 624 and Southern Fire Zone 625. This includes the 
  Patton Meadow Fire and the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

* Wind: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Humidity: As low as 10 percent.

* 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.


$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
650 
WWUS86 KMFR 171253
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
553 AM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021


CAZ280-180500-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.A.0031.210818T2100Z-210819T0500Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
553 AM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 280...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW
RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 280...

The National Weather Service in Medford has cancelled the Fire
Weather Watch.

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and 
  critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread 
  potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
 In Northern CA...Portions of Fire Weather Zone 280 south of the Marble
 Mountains. This includes the Salmon Mountains and the River 
 Complex.

* Wind: Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts 25 to 30 mph.

* Humidity: 10-15 percent.

* 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.

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.

&&

$$

CAZ284-285-ORZ624-625-180500-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt
Shasta-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-
553 AM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 284...624 AND 625...

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
  critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
  potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected areas: In Northern CA, Northeast portions of Fire Zone
  284. This includes north and eastern portions of the Antelope
  Fire and the Klamath National Forest. In South Central OR, most
  of Fire Zone 624 and southern Fire Zone 625. This includes the
  Bootleg Fire area, the Patton Meadow Fire, and the Fremont-
  Winema National Forest.

* Wind: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts 30 to 40 mph.

* Humidity: 10-15 percent.

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

$$
BTL

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
919 
WWUS86 KMFR 171523
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
823 AM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021

CAZ280-284-285-ORZ624-625-180500-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0042.210817T2100Z-210818T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt
Shasta-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-
823 AM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 280...284...285...624 AND 625...

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
 In Northern CA...Southwest Fire Weather Zone 280 south of the
Marble Mountains. This includes the Salmon Mountains and the River
Complex... Northeast portions of Fire Zone 284. This includes north
and eastern portions of the Antelope Fire and the Klamath National
Forest. And all of Fire Zone 285 including the Modoc National
Forest.

  In South Central OR...Most of Fire Zone 624 and southern Fire 
Zone 625. This includes the Bootleg Fire area, the Patton Meadow 
Fire, and the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

* Wind: Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* Humidity: 12 to 15 percent.

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

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
774 
WWUS86 KMFR 180450
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
950 PM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021

CAZ280-284-285-ORZ624-625-180600-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0042.000000T0000Z-210818T0500Z/
Western Klamath National Forest-
Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt
Shasta-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-
950 PM PDT Tue Aug 17 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR
   STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280...
   284...285...624 AND 625...

Winds are still a bit gusty, but humidities have risen well above
critical values.

$$

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 16, 2:30 PM PDTGale WarningMFR4 days
Aug 16, 2:30 PM PDTSmall Craft AdvisoryMFR8 days
Aug 16, 2:30 PM PDTHazardous Seas WarningMFR5 days
Aug 16, 1:45 PM PDTFire Weather WatchMFRSiskiyou16 hr

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2021Red Flag Warnings in California, 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.