Alert archive / Washington / Red Flag Warnings in 2025
Red Flag Warning 7, NWS Spokane, WA
NWS Spokane, WA issued this red flag warning at Jul 7, 2025, 1:06 PM PDT for 14 counties in Washington. It took effect at Jul 8, 2025, 1:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 31 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 7, 2025, 1:06 PM PDT (20:06 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jul 8, 2025, 1:00 PM PDT
- Expired
- Jul 9, 2025, 8:00 PM PDT
- In force
- 31 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Spokane, WA
Counties Adams County, WA, Asotin County, WA, Chelan County, WA, Columbia County, WA, Douglas County, WA, Ferry County, WA, Garfield County, WA, Grant County, WA, Lincoln County, WA, Okanogan County, WA, Pend Oreille County, WA, Spokane County, WA, Stevens County, WA, Whitman County, WA
The radar
The Spokane radar (KOTX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:09 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
Salem/Mcnary, OR (KSLE), launched 12:00Z, 8.1 hours before the alert went out and 454 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1807 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 1 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -33 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 46 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
523 WWUS86 KOTX 072006 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 106 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...HOT, DRY, AND WINDY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY... .Hot and very dry conditions will be in place on Tuesday. Winds will increase through the day with gusts 15 to 25 mph from the East Slopes to the Palouse. Locally stronger winds will develop late Tuesday afternoon and evening in the foothills of the Cascades and across the Waterville Plateau producing gusts around 30 mph. A dry cold front will sweep through the region on Wednesday delivering stronger winds region-wide. Humidity levels increase on Wednesday but remain near critical levels. WAZ703-705-706-082100- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0003.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 106 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 705, AND 706... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 1 PM Tuesday to 8 PM PDT Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Tuesday: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing 30 mph in the evening. Wednesday: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 27 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707>709-082100- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0003.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 106 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 1 PM Tuesday to 8 PM PDT Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Tuesday: West to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Wednesday: West to southwest 15 to 25 mph gusts around 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 25 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
6 follow-up statements
982 WWUS86 KOTX 080124 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 624 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...HOT, DRY, AND WINDY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY... .Hot and very dry conditions will be in place on Tuesday. Winds will increase through the day with gusts 15 to 25 mph from the East Slopes to the Palouse. Locally stronger winds will develop late Tuesday afternoon and evening in the foothills of the Cascades and across the Waterville Plateau producing gusts around 30 mph. Winds will decrease Tuesday night. A dry cold front will sweep through the region on Wednesday delivering stronger winds region- wide. Humidity levels increase on Wednesday but remain near critical levels. WAZ702-082100- /O.EXA.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 624 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 1 PM Tuesday to 8 PM PDT Wednesday. * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Tuesday: Southwest to west 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing 30 mph in the evening. Wednesday: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 22 to 27 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ703-705-706-082100- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 624 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 705, AND 706... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Tuesday: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing 30 mph in the evening. Wednesday: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 27 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707>709-082100- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 624 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Tuesday: West to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Wednesday: West to southwest 15 to 25 mph gusts around 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 25 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
320 WWUS86 KOTX 080406 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 906 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...HOT, DRY, AND WINDY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY... .Hot and very dry conditions will be in place on Tuesday. Winds will increase through the day with gusts 15 to 25 mph from the East Slopes to the Palouse. Locally stronger winds will develop late Tuesday afternoon and evening in the foothills of the Cascades and across the Waterville Plateau producing gusts around 30 mph. Winds will decrease Tuesday night. A dry cold front will sweep through the region on Wednesday delivering stronger winds region- wide. Humidity levels increase on Wednesday but remain near critical levels. WAZ701-082200- /O.EXB.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250709T1900Z-250710T0300Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- 906 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 701... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM PDT Wednesday. * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 20 to 28 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ702-703-705-706-082200- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 906 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Tuesday: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing 30 mph in the evening. Wednesday: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 27 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707>709-082200- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 906 PM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Tuesday: West to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Wednesday: West to southwest 15 to 25 mph gusts around 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 25 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
718 WWUS86 KOTX 081857 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1157 AM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...HOT, DRY, AND WINDY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY... .Hot and very dry conditions will be in place on Tuesday. Winds will increase through the day with gusts 15 to 25 mph from the East Slopes to the Palouse. Locally stronger winds will develop late Tuesday afternoon and evening in the foothills of the Cascades and across the Waterville Plateau producing gusts around 30 mph. Winds will decrease Tuesday night. A dry cold front will sweep through the region on Wednesday delivering stronger winds region- wide. Humidity levels increase on Wednesday but remain near critical levels. WAZ704-090500- /O.EXB.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 1157 AM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect until 10 PM PDT this evening. * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Southeast 5 to 10 mph becoming west 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. * Relative Humidities: 10 to 17 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ702-703-705-706-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 1157 AM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Tuesday: West 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph increasing to 30 mph in the evening. Wednesday: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 27 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707>709-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250708T2000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1157 AM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Tuesday: West to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Wednesday: West to southwest 15 to 25 mph gusts around 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 8 to 15 percent on Tuesday. 18 to 25 percent on Wednesday. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250709T1900Z-250710T0300Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- 1157 AM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 701... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 20 to 28 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
448 WWUS86 KOTX 090517 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1017 PM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...HOT, DRY, AND WINDY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... WAZ704-090630- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 1017 PM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... Winds have diminished and relative humidity values are rising. Thus the Red Flag Warning for the Methow Valley has been allowed to expire. $$ WAZ702-703-705-706-091330- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 1017 PM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 18 to 27 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707>709-091330- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1017 PM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 17 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-091330- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250709T1900Z-250710T0300Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- 1017 PM PDT Tue Jul 8 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 701... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 20 to 28 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
668 WWUS86 KOTX 091157 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 457 AM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...HOT, DRY, AND WINDY THROUGH WEDNESDAY... WAZ702-703-705-706-100300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 457 AM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 17 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707>709-100300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 457 AM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-100300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0007.250709T1900Z-250710T0300Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- 457 AM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 701... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fires. 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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$
460 WWUS86 KOTX 100246 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 746 PM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 WAZ702-703-705-706-100400- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 746 PM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 702, 703, 705, AND 706... Relative humidity values have increased above critical thresholds and thus the Red Flag Warning will be allowed to expire at 8 PM PDT. $$ WAZ707>709-100400- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 746 PM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 707, 708, AND 709... Relative humidity values have increased above critical thresholds for most of the area and thus the Red Flag Warning will be allowed to expire at 8 PM PDT. $$ WAZ701-100400- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-250710T0300Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- 746 PM PDT Wed Jul 9 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 701... Relative humidity values have increased above critical thresholds and thus the Red Flag Warning will be allowed to expire at 8 PM PDT. $$
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 Spokane, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Jul 7, 10:17 AM PDT, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Hot temperatures arrive Monday and continue through Wednesday. The warmest day will be Tuesday.
- Dry conditions and increasing winds will bring elevated to critical fire weather conditions Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Wednesday will be windy region-wide with gusts 30 to 40 mph.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 7, 10:17 AM PDT, 2 hours 49 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1017 AM PDT Mon Jul 7 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Hot temperatures arrive Monday and continue through Wednesday.
The warmest day will be Tuesday.
- Dry conditions and increasing winds will bring elevated to
critical fire weather conditions Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Wednesday will be windy region-wide with gusts 30 to 40 mph.
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
A warming trend will continue with temperatures peaking Tuesday
before cooling back down Wednesday and Thursday. Increasing
winds combined with dry conditions Tuesday afternoon and
Wednesday will result in elevated to critical fire weather
conditions. After a brief mid-week cooldown, warm temperatures
will return Friday into next weekend.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Today: High pressure building over the region will promote mostly
sunny skies and warm temperatures. Afternoon highs will warm an
additional 5+ degrees from Sunday climbing into the lower 90s.
Winds will start off light with a light north to northeast drift
and swing around to the south through the day with breezy
conditions expected through the Okanogan Valley and portions of
the Western Columbia Basin. Wind speeds for locations like Omak,
Mansfield, Pateros, and Wilbur will increase toward 10-15 mph
with gusts around 20 mph. This will create elevated fire weather
conditions for portions of Central WA as the lower atmosphere
becomes very warm, dry, and well mixed with afternoon mixing
heights near 9000 feet.
Tuesday: The heat continues to increase on Tuesday with a very
dry air mass in place. Humidity levels will be dipping into the
teens to upper single digits. Unstable conditions will also be
present. On top of that, a deep low from the Gulf of AK will
begin to sag into the ridge with pressure falls over Alberta and
rises along the coast. These increasing pressure gradients at
the surface will result in increasing winds through the day with
increasing concern for fire weather. We have issued fire
weather watches from the foothills of the Cascades to the Idaho
border. For the Eastern Basin including the West Plains,
Palouse, and Snake River Valley...it will be a marginal wind
event with southwest wind speeds of 10-20 mph and gusts to 25
mph yet coming through with temperatures of 95-100F and RH
values in the lower teens. In Central WA, confidence they can
expect similar winds into the early afternoon with a bit more
south to southwest direction but these winds will ramp late
afternoon and evening while shifting a bit more westerly as the
cross Cascade gradients starts to tighten. Winds for locations
like East Wenatchee, Waterville, and southern portions of the
Okanogan Valley will approach 20 mph sustained with gusts near
30 mph. Winds peak in Central WA roughly 5-9PM then will be
coming down region-wide. Consequently, the fire weather watch is
for Tuesday through Wednesday but the most critical period for
TUE will be 1PM - 9PM.
Tuesday evening/night: There is a ribbon of instability that develop
over Eastern and Central Oregon Tuesday afternoon. Now that we
are getting a look at some of the cam models, there is some
concern for bands of showers and elevated t-storms (likely dry
in nature) to skirt far SE WA and the lower Idaho Panhandle
Tuesday evening-night. There is moderate uncertainty with the
northward extent of this activity with some models as far north
as Pullman-St Maries while the general consensus is for points
south of Lewiston. This is something that will need to be
monitored closely as any lightning strikes Tuesday night will
pose a major concern for new ignitions as winds ramp up on
Wednesday.
Wednesday: An impactful weather event arrives on Wednesday as the
upper low carves deeper into the NW and ushers a dry cold front
through the Inland NW. Pressure gradients from Portland, OR to
Kalispell, MT increase on the order of 15-18mb signifying an
anomalous wind event for early July and likelihood for a
critical fire weather day. This wind event will be longer
duration, more widespread, and come with a stronger punch of
winds vs Tuesday. Wind direction will largely be from the west
and southwest with a shift to west in the late afternoon and
evening. Wind speeds will be on the order of 15-30 mph with
gusts of 30-40 mph. Latest probabilities for gusts > 30 mph vary
from 60-80%. There is a 40-50% chance for local gusts in excess
of 40 mph on the ridgetops of the Cascades and in the lee of
the Cascades including locations like Coulee City, Ephrata,
Entiat, and Mattawa. Wednesday has the potential for significant
wind driven fire spread for any fires, especially in Central WA
where fuels are parched and has not received a wetting rain in
over 40 days. The foothills of the Blue Mountains including the
Alpowa Summit and Hwy 12 corridor is a secondary area with
elevated probabilities for gusts > 40 mph. Temperatures on
Wednesday will cool 10-15 degrees but remain in the 80s to low
90s. Humidity values will trend up but remain in the 20-30%
range which remains in the critical thresholds given the
anticipated wind speeds. By Wednesday night, models continue to
advertise shifting winds toward the northwest or
north...especially over northern WA and North ID. Timing of this
shift has been wavering and comes some point around or after
midnight with additional gusts around 20 mph.
While the incoming front will be largely dry, due to strong
downsloping winds in the lee of the Cascades, but the front
will come with some moisture with PWATS increasing late in the
day between 150-170% of normal. Models are indicating some cloud
cover to spread over the region through the day Wednesday in
the form of cirrus and within the 7-9k ft AGL level. Showers
will develop along the immediate Cascade Crest with a 35% chance
for 0.05". A few hundred joules of surface based CAPE is also
forecast over far NE WA and N ID centered mainly over the
Selkirks. I would expect few shallow showers to develop coming
with a 15-20% for a few hundredths of rain.
Thursday: Models are locking on to a second shortwave dropping
into the region from the northwest. Temperatures will continue
to dip closer to 30-year averages or 80s. Winds will remain
breezy with speeds of 10-15 mph and gusts of 20-25 mph but
general wind direction will be from the northwest and north down
the Okanogan Valley. There is an appreciable cold pool
associated with this shortwave that traverses far E WA and N ID
so would anticipate cumulus buildups and 20% chance for light
showers but only a 5-10% chance for cells to deepen enough to
produce a lightning strike.
Friday - weekend: 80% of the ensemble members redevelop ridging
over the region with temperatures warming back into the 90s
with dry conditions. Looks like another shortwave will make a
run into the ridge at some point early next week bringing the
potential for another bout of breezy to gusty winds but details
are far from certain with a 50/50 split on timing and depth of
this wave. /sb
&&
.AVIATION...
18Z TAFS: High cirrus passing through, otherwise mostly clear
skies with VFR conditions over the next 24 hours. Winds will be
light and generally under 10 kts.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
in VFR conditions through Tuesday morning.
-----------------------
Confidence descriptors:
Low - Less than a 30 percent chance
Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance
High - Greater than a 70 percent chance
For additional probabilistic information for NWS Spokane
airports, please refer to the Aviation Dashboard on our
webpage: https:/www.weather.gov/otx/avndashboard
&&
.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
Spokane 91 61 97 64 89 58 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coeur d'Alene 90 60 95 62 87 59 / 0 0 0 0 0 10
Pullman 89 57 94 61 84 55 / 0 0 0 10 0 0
Lewiston 97 66 103 67 94 66 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Colville 90 51 95 59 87 47 / 0 0 0 0 10 10
Sandpoint 86 55 92 60 84 56 / 0 0 0 0 10 20
Kellogg 87 64 92 63 84 60 / 0 0 0 0 0 10
Moses Lake 95 61 101 64 91 59 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wenatchee 95 69 99 66 86 63 / 0 0 0 0 0 10
Omak 95 61 99 64 88 56 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
&&
.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Fire Weather Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday
evening for Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane
Area (Zone 708)-Foothills of Central Washington Cascades
(Zone 705)-Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709)-
Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-
Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707).
Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 9 PM PDT Tuesday for Lower
Garfield and Asotin Counties-Moses Lake Area-Okanogan
Valley-Upper Columbia Basin-Waterville Plateau-Wenatchee
Area.
ID...None.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Spokane, WA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 5:56 PM PDT | Fire Weather Watch | OTX | Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Garfield and 5 more | 19 hr |
| Jul 6, 7:11 PM PDT | Heat Advisory | OTX | Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Garfield, Grant and 2 more | 50 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Washington, 2025Every red flag warning in 2025
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.