Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 7, NWS Medford, OR
NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Jul 9, 2026, 12:59 PM PDT for Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon; Modoc County, California. It took effect at Jul 10, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 58 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 9, 2026, 12:59 PM PDT (19:59 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jul 10, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT
- Expired
- Jul 12, 2026, 9:00 PM PDT
- In force
- 58 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Medford, OR
Counties Modoc County, CA, Klamath County, OR, Lake County, OR
The radar
The Medford radar (KMAX), 151 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:59 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, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 331 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
- 1622 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 18 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -53 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -20 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
142 WWUS86 KMFR 091959 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 1259 PM PDT Thu Jul 9 2026 CAZ285-ORZ624-101200- /O.UPG.KMFR.FW.A.0002.260710T2200Z-260711T0400Z/ /O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0007.260710T1800Z-260713T0400Z/ Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley- Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest- 1259 PM PDT Thu Jul 9 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM FRIDAY TO 9 PM PDT SUNDAY EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 9 PM PDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels will allow any fires that develop to spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California, Fire Weather Zone 285, including Modoc National Forest. In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 624, including the Fremont National Forest in the southeast portion of the zone. * WIND...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with peak gusts of 30 to 40 mph. * MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY...11 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...While speeds decrease overnight along with improved overnight relative humidities, the overall fire weather threat remains critical through the weekend. 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. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
5 follow-up statements
931 WWUS86 KMFR 101029 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 329 AM PDT Fri Jul 10 2026 CAZ285-ORZ624-102230- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0007.260710T1800Z-260713T0400Z/ Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley- Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest- 329 AM PDT Fri Jul 10 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels will allow any fires that develop to spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California, Fire Weather Zone 285, including Modoc National Forest. In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 624, including the Fremont National Forest in the southeast portion of the zone. * WIND...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with peak gusts of 30 to 40 mph. * MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds are expected to ease overnight and recoveries will be in the good (Saturday morning) to moderate range (Sunday/Monday mornings). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
021 WWUS86 KMFR 102005 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 105 PM PDT Fri Jul 10 2026 CAZ285-ORZ624-111300- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260713T0400Z/ Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley- Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest- 105 PM PDT Fri Jul 10 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels will allow any fires that develop to spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California, Fire Weather Zone 285, including Modoc National Forest. In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 624, including the Fremont National Forest in the southeast portion of the zone. * WIND...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with peak gusts of 30 to 40 mph. * MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds are expected to ease overnight and recoveries will be in the good (Saturday morning) to moderate range (Sunday/Monday mornings). 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. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
169 WWUS86 KMFR 111053 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 353 AM PDT Sat Jul 11 2026 CAZ285-ORZ624-112300- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260713T0400Z/ Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley- Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest- 353 AM PDT Sat Jul 11 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels will allow any fires that develop to spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California, Fire Weather Zone 285, including Modoc National Forest. In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 624, including the Fremont National Forest in the southeast portion of the zone. * WIND...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with peak gusts of 30 to 40 mph. * MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds are expected to ease overnight and recoveries will be in the good (this morning) to moderate range (Sunday/Monday mornings). PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county's emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire. Be sure you're signed up for your county's emergency alert system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for more information. A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life- threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to have multiple ways to receive information from authorities. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
591 WWUS86 KMFR 120724 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 1224 AM PDT Sun Jul 12 2026 CAZ285-ORZ624-130000- /O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260713T0400Z/ Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley- Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest- 1224 AM PDT Sun Jul 12 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels will allow any fires that develop to spread rapidly. * AFFECTED AREA...In California, Fire Weather Zone 285, including Modoc National Forest. In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 624, including the Fremont National Forest in the southeast portion of the zone. * WIND...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with peak gusts of 30 to 40 mph. * MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY...10 to 15 percent. * DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds are expected to ease overnight and recoveries will be in the good (this morning) to moderate range (Sunday/Monday mornings). 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. && $$ Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
272 WWUS86 KMFR 130409 RFWMFR URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Medford OR 909 PM PDT Sun Jul 12 2026 CAZ285-ORZ624-130515- /O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-260713T0400Z/ Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley- Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest- 909 PM PDT Sun Jul 12 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND AND LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... The Red Flag Warning has expired. Winds and relative humidity on Monday will be closer to typical values for this time of the year. $$ 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 Jul 9, 10:11 AM PDT, 2 hours 48 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 10:11 AM PDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
1011 AM PDT Thu Jul 9 2026
...Updated the Aviation and Marine Sections...
.AVIATION...09/18Z TAFs...LIFR marine stratus is expected to persist
near Brookings through around 19Z, with clear skies to follow this
afternoon until around 02Z this evening. Coastal LIFR is expected
north of Cape Blanco, and also near Brookings this evening through
Friday morning.
All other areas will remain VFR through the TAF period with the
typical increase in breezes this afternoon and evening.
&&
.MARINE...Updated 800 AM PDT Thursday, July 9, 2026...A thermal
trough will maintain gusty north winds and steep to very steep seas
into this evening. Very steep, hazardous warning level seas are
expected south of Gold Beach, and generally beyond 5 nm from shore
and there could be a brief period of northerly gales in this area in
the late afternoon and early evening. Conditions improve later
tonight through Friday into Saturday morning as the thermal trough
weakens and winds ease, but steep seas will continue for all areas
south of Cape Blanco through Friday evening. Gusty north winds will
increase again for a brief period on Sunday, with steep seas likely
south of Cape Blanco. But, improved conditions are expected to
follow early next week before the thermal trough strengthens
again during the latter half of next week.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 437 AM PDT Thu Jul 9 2026/
KEY MESSAGES...
* Typical summer weather for the remainder of the week: seasonable
temperatures and humidities, gusty afternoon winds.
* Pattern amplifies Friday into the weekend resulting in tightening
pressure gradients and gusty southwest winds (25-35 mph) Friday-
Sunday. Gusty winds combined with low RHs bring heightened fire
weather concerns (winds strongest/RHs lowest on Saturday).
* Thunderstorm pattern early next week. Best chances east of
Cascades and across northern California with lesser, but not
negligible chances for the West Side.
DISCUSSION...Another quiet summer morning underway today. The
marine layer is far less extensive this morning and only blankets
the coast from Brookings southward. Skies are clear everywhere
else.
Westerly flow will prevail today under a mostly zonal flow pattern
with flat high pressure to the south and a broad trough extending
south over the northeastern Pacific from the Gulf of Alaska. This
will result in a more stable air mass with thunderstorm potential
remaining well east of the area. There will likely be some cumulus
buildups today east of the Cascades and across northern California,
but no showers are expected today. Generally cooler temperatures are
expected into the weekend, so instead of temperatures being 8 to 10
degrees above normal like recent days, high temperatures through the
weekend will hover within a few degrees of normal, equating to low
90s West/upper 80s East.
The pattern transitions on Friday with high pressure to the south
moving eastward into the Great Basin region, then amplifying on
Saturday. Meanwhile, relatively strong low pressure off the northern
British Columbia Coast digs southward Friday into Saturday,
lingering offshore near Seattle through the weekend. This will turn
the flow southwesterly again and southwest OR/northern CA will be
wedged between these two systems, resulting in tighter pressure
gradients. This pattern will bring multiple days of strong, gusty
winds to the region Friday through Sunday when gusts of 25 to 35 mph
are expected east of the Cascades and across northern California.
The air mass in those areas will be more under the ridge influence,
while areas west of the Cascades will be more under the trough
influence. This will result in much drier air for areas to the east
(daytime humidities in the low teens, possibly single digits), and
when combined with those 25 to 35 mph gusts, critical fire weather
conditions could be possible east of the Cascades Friday through
Sunday, most widespread on Saturday.
The parent low pressure to the north pushes northeastward on Sunday,
but a frontal boundary/energy gets left behind, maintaining tight
pressure gradients. Guidance maintains another day of gusty winds
(25-30 mph), and although humidities do tick upward some, it could
still be another day of elevated to critical fire weather
conditions. Meanwhile, strong ridging gets nudged eastward with that
trough and the flow will turn more south to southwest heading into
the early part of next week. This pattern will bear watching for
thunderstorm potential as south to southwesterly flow could push
some monsoonal moisture into the region. Much will depend on
when/where shortwaves develop and at this juncture, it's too soon to
try to pinpoint details. It's also challenging because our region
will remain wedged between strong high pressure to the east and
incoming troughs from the northwest. The proximity of those troughs
could be enough to keep the flow more southwest or even westerly,
and the more westerly the flow, the lower the chances for thunder,
especially west of the Cascades. Until further details can be sussed
out, it currently looks like the best chances for thunderstorms
would be across eastern areas on Monday/Tuesday. We'll continue to
monitor model trends to see if the eastward shift in the upper level
pattern persists, or if thunderstorm chances shift westward. Stay
tuned for updates as models hone in on additional details.
FIRE WEATHER...Updated at 200 AM Thursday, July 9, 2026...
Seasonable temperatures and humidities are expected for the
remainder of the week, with critical fire weather concerns
increasing Friday and continuing through the weekend. The region
will be wedged between strong high pressure to the east and an upper
level trough off the eastern Pacific through the weekend, which will
result in increased pressure gradients across the area. Strong gusty
southwest to west winds (25-35 mph) are expected Friday through
Sunday. Daytime humidities will be in the mid to low teens on Friday,
and when combined with these gusty winds, critical fire weather
conditions are likely across the Modoc and southeastern Fire Weather
Zone (FWZ) 624 for Friday afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch has been
issued for this potential.
Critical fire weather conditions are expected to peak on Saturday
when humidities trend lower (low teens/single digits possible),
winds increase some (25-35 mph common, possible up to 40 mph in the
windiest locations) and these combined conditions are more
widespread across the East Side. Conditions improve slightly on
Sunday with wind speeds on the lower end of the spectrum and
humidities trend ever so slightly higher. Regardless, critical fire
weather conditions are again possible for Sunday as well, so
additional watches/warnings will likely be needed through the
weekend.
A potential thunderstorm pattern is shaping up for the first half of
next week as the flow becomes south to southwesterly which could
send monsoonal moisture into the region. Latest model guidance has
shifted a bit on the overall pattern set up. The region will remain
wedged between strong high pressure to the east and incoming troughs
from the west/northwest. The proximity of those troughs could be
enough to keep the flow more southwest or even westerly, and the
more westerly the flow, the lower the chances for thunder,
especially west of the Cascades. Until further details can be sussed
out, it currently looks like the best chances for thunderstorms
would be across eastern areas on Monday/Tuesday. We'll need to
monitor the potential for any shortwaves/tropical activity that
models try to develop and send our way early next week. On the other
hand, however, if models continue this more eastward shift of the
incoming troughs/southwest to west flow, we could potentially see an
extended period of winds/RH concerns vs thunderstorms. Stay tuned
as details become more clear with future model runs.
&&
.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening
for ORZ624.
CA...Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening
for CAZ285.
PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT Friday
for PZZ350-356-370-376.
Hazardous Seas Warning until 2 AM PDT Friday for PZZ356-376.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 6:23 PM PDT | Fire Weather Watch | MFR | Klamath, Lake | 19 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2026Red Flag Warnings in California, 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.