Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Medford, OR
NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Aug 2, 2026, 12:08 PM PDT for 5 counties in Oregon. It took effect at Aug 3, 2026, 2:00 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
- Aug 2, 2026, 12:08 PM PDT (19:08 UTC)
- In effect from
- Aug 3, 2026, 2:00 PM PDT
- Expired
- Aug 4, 2026, 9:00 PM PDT
- In force
- 31 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Medford, OR
Counties Curry County, OR, Douglas County, OR, Jackson County, OR, Josephine County, OR, Klamath County, OR
The radar
The Medford radar (KMAX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:07 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, 7.1 hours before the alert went out and 253 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
- 2 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -26 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 888 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 45 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -59 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 22 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
551 WWUS86 KMFR 021908 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 1208 PM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026 ORZ620>623-031215- /O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0013.260803T2100Z-260805T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 1208 PM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM MONDAY TO 9 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH AND FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM Monday to 9 PM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
6 follow-up statements
646 WWUS86 KMFR 031204 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 504 AM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ORZ620>623-040015- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.260803T2100Z-260805T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 504 AM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Critical fire weather conditions will be more prevalent in low-lying areas in the afternoon and evening due to elevated breezes and minimum RHs. Overnight and into early morning hours, area peaks and ridgelines will have critical conditions due to easterly flow and poor recoveries. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
131 WWUS86 KMFR 031948 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 1248 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ORZ620>623-040800- /O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.260803T2100Z-260805T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 1248 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Critical fire weather conditions will be more prevalent in low- lying areas in the afternoon and evening due to elevated breezes and minimum RHs. Overnight and into early morning hours, area peaks and ridgelines will have critical conditions due to easterly flow and poor recoveries. Increasingly unstable conditions are expected Wednesday, which could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ CAZ280-ORZ616-617-040800- /O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Klamath National Forest-Umpqua Basin- Umpqua National Forest- 1248 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280, 616, AND 617... The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California...Fire weather zone 280, and in Oregon, Fire weather zone 616 and 617. This includes Roseburg, Toketee Falls, Elkton, Tiller, Happy Camp, Etna, and Fort Jones. * WIND...West to northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 10 to 15 percent * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
517 WWUS86 KMFR 032254 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 354 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 CAZ282-041200- /O.EXA.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Siskiyou County- 354 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 282... The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California, Fire Weather zones 282, including Mt Shasta City, Dunsmuir and McCloud. * WIND...Southeast to southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 10 to 15 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ ORZ620>623-041200- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260805T0400Z/ /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 354 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY AND STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH AND UNSTABLE CONDITIONS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Critical fire weather conditions will be more prevalent in low-lying areas in the afternoons and evenings due to elevated breezes and minimum RHs. Overnight and into early morning hours, area peaks and ridgelines will have critical conditions due to easterly flow and poor recoveries. Increasingly unstable conditions are expected Wednesday, which could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ CAZ280-ORZ616-617-041200- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Klamath National Forest-Umpqua Basin- Umpqua National Forest- 354 PM PDT Mon Aug 3 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280, 616, AND 617... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California...Fire weather zone 280, and in Oregon, Fire weather zones 616 and 617. This includes the East Evans Creek and Castle fires as well as Roseburg, Toketee Falls, Elkton, Tiller, Happy Camp, Etna, and Fort Jones. * WIND...West to northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 10 to 15 percent * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
399 WWUS86 KMFR 041153 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 453 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ORZ620>623-050000- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260805T0400Z/ /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 453 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Critical fire weather conditions will be more prevalent in low-lying areas in the afternoons and evenings due to elevated breezes and minimum RHs. Overnight and into early morning hours, area peaks and ridgelines will have critical conditions due to easterly flow and poor recoveries. Increasingly unstable conditions are expected Wednesday, which could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ CAZ280-282-ORZ616-617-050000- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Klamath National Forest-Shasta- Trinity National Forest in Siskiyou County-Umpqua Basin- Umpqua National Forest- 453 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280, 282, 616, AND 617... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California...Fire weather zone 280, and in Oregon, Fire weather zones 616 and 617. This includes the East Evans Creek and Castle fires as well as Roseburg, Toketee Falls, Elkton, Tiller, Happy Camp, Etna, and Fort Jones. * WIND...West to northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 10 to 15 percent * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
799 WWUS86 KMFR 041340 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 640 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ORZ620>623-050145- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260805T0400Z/ /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 640 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Critical fire weather conditions will be more prevalent in low-lying areas in the afternoons and evenings due to elevated breezes and minimum RHs. Overnight and into early morning hours, area peaks and ridgelines will have critical conditions due to easterly flow and poor recoveries. Increasingly unstable conditions are expected Wednesday, which could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ CAZ280-282-ORZ616-617-050145- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Klamath National Forest-Shasta- Trinity National Forest in Siskiyou County-Umpqua Basin- Umpqua National Forest- 640 AM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280, 282, 616, AND 617... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California...Fire weather zone 280, and in Oregon, Fire weather zones 616 and 617. This includes the East Evans Creek and Castle fires as well as Roseburg, Toketee Falls, Elkton, Tiller, Happy Camp, Etna, and Fort Jones. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
980 WWUS86 KMFR 042013 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 113 PM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ORZ620>623-051015- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260805T0400Z/ /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Rogue Basin including the Illinois Valley- Siskiyou Mountains-Eastern Rogue Valley-Southern Oregon Cascades- 113 PM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 620, 621, 622, AND 623... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In Oregon, Fire Weather zones 620, 621, 622, and 623, including the East Evans Creek Fire, as well as Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, Shady Cove, and the Siskiyous and southern Oregon Cascades. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ CAZ280-282-ORZ616-617-051015- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0014.260805T2100Z-260806T0400Z/ Western Klamath National Forest-Shasta- Trinity National Forest in Siskiyou County-Umpqua Basin- Umpqua National Forest- 113 PM PDT Tue Aug 4 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 280, 282, 616, AND 617... * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California...Fire weather zone 280, and in Oregon, Fire weather zones 616 and 617. This includes the Castle fire as well as Roseburg, Toketee Falls, Elkton, Tiller, Happy Camp, Etna, and Fort Jones. * WIND...Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoons, becoming east to northeast overnight. * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity 8 to 15 percent, with poor recoveries as low as 20 percent. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Increasingly unstable conditions could further increase fire activity. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this red flag warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before this red flag warning went out at Aug 2, 3:46 AM PDT, 8 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- *Today will be the coolest day for the next week for inland areas. *Significant warming and drying trend commences Monday with NE offshore winds developing beneath a thermal trough. *Heat wave Tue-Thu (maybe also Fri) with upper 90s and 100-110F heat expected inland west side valleys and widespread 90s east of the Cascades and in NE California - moderate to major heat risk. *Some cooling next weekend, but probably remaining above normal. *Still no significant signal for thunderstorms next 7 days.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 2, 3:46 AM PDT, 8 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
346 AM PDT Sun Aug 2 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
*Today will be the coolest day for the next week for inland areas.
*Significant warming and drying trend commences Monday with NE
offshore winds developing beneath a thermal trough.
*Heat wave Tue-Thu (maybe also Fri) with upper 90s and 100-110F
heat expected inland west side valleys and widespread 90s east of
the Cascades and in NE California - moderate to major heat risk.
*Some cooling next weekend, but probably remaining above normal.
*Still no significant signal for thunderstorms next 7 days.
&&
.DISCUSSION...The front that moved through yesterday has cooled
things off in most areas this morning, but winds turning into the
north and northeast over the coast ranges and NW California will
actually allow those areas to warm up compared to yesterday. This
includes coastal areas near Brookings (probably up around 80F for
a high this afternoon). Most of the remainder of the area will be
near or even a few degrees cooler than yesterday. We are
forecasting a high of 87F here in Medford (7F below normal).
Another short wave trough will swing into Washington this
afternoon and move into Idaho and western Montana tonight. This
should enhance NW breezes again for a few hours this afternoon and
evening, but they probably won't be quite as strong as yesterday.
A strengthening thermal trough in NorCal will extend northward
into SW Oregon (along the coast) tonight into Monday. This will
cause a period of gusty N-NE winds over the marine waters, coast
and coast range mountains (peak gusts up to 40 mph). It will also
allow the air mass to dry out significantly with strong subsidence
as upper ridging takes hold. Since offshore flow will be strongest
Monday morning, this should allow temperatures to rise well into
the 80s (maybe even low 90s) in Brookings Monday afternoon. With
numerous fires burning to our north and east, guidance shows some
of that wildfire smoke pushing farther to the south and west with
time (due to the N-NE flow). We'll see if the smoke has any
impacts farther SW in our CWA (could be as early as Monday, but
more likely Tue/Wed).
Meanwhile, models had shown some uncertainty with how strong the
upper ridge would be, but they are coming in line now showing the
ridge amplifying along the West Coast Tue-Thu, then moving
inland. This is giving us higher confidence in a several day heat
wave, peaking Tue-Thu, and possibly continuing into Friday, before
the ridge flattens some next weekend. Daytime highs across the
area will be about 5-15F above normal for the climatologically
hottest time of year. Expect highs in the upper 90s with
widespread triple digit heat (100-110F) for the west side valleys
south of the Umpqua Divide. Even areas east of the Cascades and in
NE California will see highs of 90-100F. Model forecast 850
temperatures (a very reliable signal for daily highs) are forecast
to reach 27-29C, which when mixed to the surface suggest highs of
101-106F in Medford, Grants Pass, and Ashland, and as high as
around 110F in the lower Klamath and Salmon valleys of western
Siskiyou County. NWS HeatRisk is showing widespread moderate
impacts with areas of major impacts due to the heat, which would
likely result in an advisory level event. We'll be evaluating the
need for heat headlines over the next couple of shifts.
Heat waves often end here with thunderstorms. But, once again,
there is very little or no signal for thunderstorms at the end of
this one. Models keep the area dry, primarily due to a lack of
atmospheric moisture. The air mass is so dry and models keep the
monsoonal moisture bottled up around the Four Corners region. By
the time Sunday/Monday roll around, guidance is showing westerly
flow aloft again, which isn't conducive to convection. This is
good news given how dry it will be. -Spilde
&&
.AVIATION...02/12Z TAFs...VFR conditions will prevail through the
TAF period for most locations. The exception will be for some
areas to the N&W of the Cascades/Siskiyou mountains this morning.
A marine push is resulting in patchy MVFR ceilings, but also
areas of higher terrain obscuration near the Umpqua Divide. It
also looks like patchy fog is forming in some of the river valleys
of northern Coos and NW Douglas counties. These ceilings/fog will
be quick to clear later this morning, with VFR expected by no
later than 18z. Gusty north to northwest winds will develop again
this afternoon, strongest along the coast where gusts to 30 kt
are expected. -Spilde
&&
.MARINE...Updated 300 AM PDT Sunday, August 2, 2026...Northerly
winds and steep seas will persist south of Cape Blanco this
morning. A thermal trough will strengthen along the coast,
bringing stronger, gale force winds and very steep seas this
afternoon through Monday evening south of Cape Blanco with gusty
winds and steep seas spreading north of Cape Blanco. Locally very
steep seas are possible late Monday afternoon and evening for the
waters beyond 10 nm from shore between Cape Blanco and Charleston.
North winds and steep seas should gradually ease Tuesday and
Wednesday, but at least remain hazardous to small craft. Very
steep seas may linger Tuesday and Wednesday for the waters beyond
10 nm from shore south of Cape Blanco. -Spilde
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Updated 300 AM PDT Sunday, August 2, 2026...
A deep marine push brought cooler temperatures last night and
early this morning with some clouds banked up against the Umpqua
Divide. It was even deep enough to cause some clouds in unusual
spots for early August (banked up against the southern
Cascades/Siskiyou Mtns). Looks like some clouds also made it over
the Castle Fire in eastern Douglas County. These won't last too
long this morning as the air mass dries out. Another upper
disturbance will swing into Washington this afternoon and into
Idaho/western Montana tonight. This will bring some gusty W-NW
breezes for a few hours again this afternoon/evening in the
valleys west of the Cascades and also over the east side. Overall,
expect winds of 10-15 mph with gusts of 25 mph (maybe 30 mph in
the windiest locations east of the Cascades).
A strengthening thermal trough in northern California and SW
Oregon will result in a period of offshore N-NE winds for the
coast ranges and mountains of western Siskiyou County tonight. As
with most thermal troughs, the first night usually coincides with
the strongest winds, with model 925-850 winds in the 25-30kt
range. This should result in some gusty winds (25-30 mph) at
night at the usual locations in vicinity of the thermal belts
(perhaps gusts to 40 mph in the windiest spots). Aligning with
the Chetco River, these winds will descend resulting in
compressional warming/drying all the way to the coast near
Brookings (FWZ 618) on Monday. Look for elevated fire risk there
and into FWZ 619 with highs in the 80s, low humidity and gusty NE
breezes. The N-NE breezes could also align with the Illinois
Valley (FWZ 620) Monday afternoon/early evening with near critical
RH. On the second night (Monday night), poor RH recoveries are
expected across all of SW Oregon and northern California upper
slopes/ridges. Some guidance is showing RH only recovering into
the low 20s (upper teens?!) Tuesday through Thursday. It still
could be breezy, but probably not as much as tonight. It goes
without saying that this pattern will produce hot, dry afternoons
as well Tue/Wed, so we'll be keeping an eye on the winds to see if
the stronger breezes combine with the low humidity for wind/rh
headlines. -Spilde/Smith
&&
.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...CA...None.
PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT Monday
for PZZ356-376.
Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT Monday
for PZZ350-370.
Gale Warning from 11 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT Monday for
PZZ356-376.
&&
MASThe office that day
Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 10:32 AM PDT | Heat Advisory | MFR | Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and 1 more | 7 days |
| Aug 2, 2:58 PM PDT | Hazardous Seas Warning | MFR | 54 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2026Every red flag warning in 2026
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.