Alert archive / Washington / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 12, NWS Spokane, WA
NWS Spokane, WA issued this red flag warning at Jul 22, 2026, 2:12 PM PDT for 8 counties in Washington. It took effect at Jul 23, 2026, 2:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 23 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 22, 2026, 2:12 PM PDT (21:12 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jul 23, 2026, 2:00 AM PDT
- Expired
- Jul 24, 2026, 12:30 AM PDT
- In force
- 23 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Spokane, WA
Counties Asotin County, WA, Chelan County, WA, Columbia County, WA, Douglas County, WA, Ferry County, WA, Garfield County, WA, Okanogan County, WA, Stevens County, WA
The radar
The Spokane radar (KOTX), 78 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:16 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, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 441 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
- 6 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -674 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1914 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 18 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 7 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 55 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
200 WWUS86 KOTX 222112 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY... A ridge breakdown pattern will first bring an elevated threat for mountain thunderstorms across portions of central and north- central Washington tonight into Thursday night. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely. WAZ699-231500- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T0900Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)- 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM THURSDAY TO 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 2 AM Thursday to 2 AM PDT Friday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for breezy winds and low humidity is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Saturday. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, there is an isolated threat for lightning late tonight into Thursday morning. Scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 94 in the valleys Saturday. * Lightning: A 5 to 10% chance of lightning overnight Wednesday night, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ703>705-231500- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T0900Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260724T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM THURSDAY TO 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 704, AND 705... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 704, AND 705... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 2 AM Thursday to 2 AM PDT Friday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for winds and low humidity is in effect from Friday morning through Saturday evening. * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704) and Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday, windiest in Okanogan Valley. Saturday, winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, there is an isolated threat for lightning late tonight into Thursday morning. Scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected Friday and Saturday afternoons. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 21 percent Friday, 14 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday, and up to 94 Saturday. * Lightning: A 5 to 10% chance of lightning overnight Wednesday night, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ702-231500- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T2000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260724T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THURSDAY TO 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 1 PM Thursday to 2 AM PDT Friday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch for winds and low humidity is in effect from Friday morning through Saturday evening. * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday. Saturday, southwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected Friday and Saturday afternoons. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 23 percent Friday, 17 to 27 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday. * Lightning: A 5% chance of lightning overnight Wednesday night, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. The greater chances for lightning will be across the northern portions of the zone. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ696>698-231500- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T0900Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM THURSDAY TO 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND 698... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 2 AM Thursday to 2 AM PDT Friday. * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697) and East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday. * Timing: A 5 to 15% chance of lightning overnight Wednesday night, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Lightning: A 10 to 15% chance of lightning overnight Wednesday night, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ706-707-231500- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260724T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 706 AND 707... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Saturday evening. * Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday. Saturday, southwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Timing: Friday and Saturday afternoons. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 23 percent Friday, 15 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday, and up to 94 Saturday. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoons may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ IDZ101-WAZ700-701-708-709-231500- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)- Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 212 PM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, 701, 708, AND 709... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Fire Weather Watch for winds and low humidity, which is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Timing: Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon * Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent across the lower elevations, with 23 to 35 percent at the higher elevations. * Temperatures: Up to 93. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
5 follow-up statements
767 WWUS86 KOTX 231135 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY... A ridge breakdown will first bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of central and north-central Washington today and tonight. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely. WAZ699-240300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)- 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Saturday. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, there is a threat for lightning Thursday morning. Scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected late Saturday morning into Saturday evening. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 94 in the valleys Saturday. * Lightning: A 5 to 10% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ703>705-240300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260724T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Methow Valley (Zone 704)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 704, AND 705... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 704, AND 705... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704) and Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday, windiest in Okanogan Valley. Saturday, winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, there is an isolated threat for lightning Thursday morning. Scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected Friday and Saturday afternoons. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 21 percent Friday, 14 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday, and up to 94 Saturday. * Lightning: A 5 to 10% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ702-240300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T2000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260724T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday. Saturday, southwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Timing: For the Red Flag Warning, scattered thunderstorms are then expected Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. For the Fire Weather Watch, critical wind and humidity values are expected Friday and Saturday afternoons. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 23 percent Friday, 17 to 27 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday. * Lightning: A 5% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. The greater chances for lightning will be across the northern portions of the zone. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ696>698-240300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND 698... * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697) and East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday. * Timing: A 5 to 15% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Lightning: A 5 to 15% chance of lightning Thursday morning, with a 30% chance Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ706-707-240300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260724T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 706 AND 707... * Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday. Saturday, southwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Timing: Friday and Saturday afternoons. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 23 percent Friday, 15 to 26 percent Saturday. * Temperatures: Up to 98 Friday, and up to 94 Saturday. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoons may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ IDZ101-WAZ700-701-708-709-240300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)- Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 435 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, 701, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Timing: Late Saturday morning through Saturday evening. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent across the lower elevations, with 23 to 35 percent at the higher elevations. * Temperatures: Up to 93. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
586 WWUS86 KOTX 231618 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY... A ridge breakdown will first bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of central and north-central Washington today and tonight. Drier weather arrives Friday and Saturday, though winds will become increasingly gusty with critical fire weather conditions likely. WAZ703-705-240900- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.EXT.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703 AND 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703 AND 705... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703 AND 705... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703) and Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible in any thunderstorms. * Winds: Friday afternoon winds - West/Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - West/Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 30 to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ702-240900- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.EXT.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T2000Z-260724T0900Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702). * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms from 1 PM Thursday to 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible in any thunderstorms. * Winds: Friday afternoon winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 25 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ706-240900- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.EXT.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 706... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 706... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Friday. * Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Friday afternoon winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ709-240900- /O.EXB.KOTX.FW.W.0012.260723T2000Z-260724T0200Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 709... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 709... * Affected Area: Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday afternoon. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 55 mph possible in any thunderstorms Thursday. * Winds: Saturday afternoon winds - West/Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 28 percent Saturday. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ699-240900- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph possible in any thunderstorms. * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Saturday. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ704-240900- /O.EXT.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 704... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph possible in any thunderstorms. * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Saturday. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 27 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ696>698-240900- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND 698... * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697) and East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday. * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent through Thursday night. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. 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. && $$ WAZ707-240900- /O.EXT.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 707... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 21 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ IDZ101-WAZ700-701-708-240900- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)- Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- 918 AM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, 701, AND 708... * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701) and Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708). * Winds: West/Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 24 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
143 WWUS86 KOTX 240204 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, FIRE WEATHER WATCHES FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY... First, a ridge breakdown will continue to bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of Central and North-Central Washington into late Thursday night. Then, drier and windier weather arrives Friday and Saturday with critical fire weather conditions likely. WAZ709-241015- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0200Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 709... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 709... * Affected Area: Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Saturday afternoon winds - West/Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 28 percent Saturday. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ703-705-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703 AND 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703 AND 705... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703 AND 705... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703) and Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible with any thunderstorms. * Winds: Friday afternoon winds - West/Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - West/Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 30 to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ702-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible with any thunderstorms. * Winds: Friday afternoon winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 25 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ699-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph possible in any thunderstorms. * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Saturday. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ704-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph possible in any thunderstorms. * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph Saturday. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 27 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ706-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 706... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 706... * Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Friday afternoon winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday afternoon winds - Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ696>698-240900- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696, 697, AND 698... * Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697) and East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday. * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2AM Friday. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 707... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 21 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ IDZ101-WAZ700-701-708-241015- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)- Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- 704 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, 701, AND 708... * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701) and Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708). * Winds: West/Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 24 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
955 WWUS86 KOTX 240446 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY, RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY, AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY SATURDAY... First, a ridge breakdown will continue to bring a threat for thunderstorms across portions of North-Central Washington into late Thursday night. Then, drier and windier weather arrives Friday and Saturday with critical fire weather conditions likely. WAZ705-241300- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms Thursday evening. However, a Red Flag Warning remains in effect Friday for wind and low humidity, and a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect Saturday for wind and low humidity. * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: Friday winds - West/Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Saturday winds - West/Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 30 to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ704-241300- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms Thursday evening. However, a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect Saturday for wind and low humidity. * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Saturday winds - Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 27 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ696-697-240600- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696)- East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 696 AND 697... The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms Thursday evening. Thunderstorms are no longer present in the area. $$ WAZ703-241300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 703... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 703... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 703... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703). * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible with any thunderstorms. * Winds: Friday winds - West/Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Saturday winds - West/Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 30 to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday evening. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ702-241300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 35 mph possible with any thunderstorms. * Winds: Friday winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday winds - Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 25 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ699-241300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Lightning: 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2 AM Friday. Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph possible with any thunderstorms. * Winds: Saturday winds - Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday evening. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ706-241300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 706... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 706... * Affected Area: Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Friday winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Saturday winds - Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ698-240900- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM PDT FRIDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 698... * Affected Area: East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph Thursday evening. * Lightning: 15 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through 2AM Friday. * Impacts: New fire starts from lightning Thursday evening. New and existing fires could be impacted by gusty outflow winds. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ707-241300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 707... * Affected Area: Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 21 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ IDZ101-WAZ700-701-708-709-241300- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)- Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 946 PM PDT Thu Jul 23 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, 701, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West/Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 24 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
282 WWUS86 KOTX 240730 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FRIDAY, AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY SATURDAY... WAZ702-703-242200- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)- 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 702... * Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702) and Okanogan Valley (Zone 703). * Winds: Friday winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts around 25 to 30 mph. Saturday winds - Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 30 to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing 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. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ699-242200- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699)- 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 699... * Affected Area: Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699). * Winds: Saturday winds - Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ698-240830- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260724T0900Z/ East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698)- 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 698... The National Weather Service in Spokane has cancelled the Red Flag Warning. Thunderstorms and the accompanying lightning potential has diminished, thus the Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms has been cancelled. $$ WAZ705-706-242200- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0013.260724T1800Z-260725T0600Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY EVENING FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Winds: Friday winds - Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts around 25 to 30 mph. Saturday winds - Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 35 to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 11 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Friday and Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ WAZ704-707-242200- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Saturday winds - Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts around 35 to 45 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$ IDZ101-WAZ700-701-708-709-242200- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.A.0009.260725T1800Z-260726T0400Z/ Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101)- Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700)- Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1230 AM PDT Fri Jul 24 2026 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 101, 700, 701, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West/Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 24 percent. * Impacts: Gusty winds and low humidity Saturday afternoon may lead to rapid fire spread with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. && $$
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 22, 12:28 AM PDT, 13 hours 44 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Very warm through Thursday with high temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s. Widespread moderate and major HeatRisk.
- Isolated thunderstorms Thursday morning and again in the afternoon may result in new fire starts and gusty outflow winds.
- Critical fire weather conditions Friday and Saturday afternoons due to low relative humidity and winds. Any new or ongoing wildfires will be capable of spreading rapidly.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 22, 12:28 AM PDT, 13 hours 44 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1228 AM PDT Wed Jul 22 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Very warm through Thursday with high temperatures in the upper
90s to low 100s. Widespread moderate and major HeatRisk.
- Isolated thunderstorms Thursday morning and again in the
afternoon may result in new fire starts and gusty outflow
winds.
- Critical fire weather conditions Friday and Saturday
afternoons due to low relative humidity and winds. Any new or
ongoing wildfires will be capable of spreading rapidly.
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
Hot temperatures expected through Thursday. Smoke from local
wildfires will result in hazy skies and may keep high
temperatures cooler than currently forecasted. Increasing
moisture on Thursday may result in isolated thunderstorms
Thursday morning and again Thursday afternoon. Dry and breezy
winds Friday and Saturday will result in critical fire weather
conditions.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Wednesday: An amplified upper-level ridge extends from the
desert southwest into the Inland Northwest while a closed low
pressure system moves northward offshore the west coast.
Southerly flow aloft will maintain a steady stream of monsoonal
moisture into the region, resulting in periods of cloud cover.
850 mb temperatures are forecast to climb to around 27-29C,
supporting widespread surface high temperatures in the upper 90s
to lower 100s. There is uncertainty in the exact temperature
forecast due to smoke from local fires in Washington and Oregon.
Light winds will allow smoke to accumulate near active fires,
likely blocking afternoon solar radiation and locally limiting
the degree of warming compared to the current forecast.
Thursday through Saturday: A critical fire weather pattern will
evolve as the offshore upper low approaches the Pacific
Northwest and a weak embedded shortwave moves through the
region. Continued monsoonal moisture advection will result in
elevated instability (50- 100 J/KG of 700-300mb MUCAPE),
bringing a 10-15% chance of thunderstorms as early as late
Wednesday night into Thursday morning across the central WA
Cascades. Instability transitions to surface based by Thursday
afternoon, supporting a continued 12-25% chance of thunderstorms
across the Cascades into the Okanogan Highlands, far northeast
Washington and north Idaho, southeast Washington, and the
southern Idaho Panhandle. Very hot conditions will persist into
Thursday with model soundings showing DCAPE values exceeding
1000 J/kg in the afternoon. This will create a favorable
environment for strong, localized downdraft wind gusts with any
shower or thunderstorm activity.
By Friday into Saturday, an upper-level trough digs off the
Pacific Northwest coast from the Gulf of Alaska, pushing the
initial offshore low eastward, driving a dry cold front across
the region. An increasing cross-Cascade pressure gradient will
bring breezy winds through the Cascade gaps beginning Thursday,
followed by widespread breezier conditions on Friday with better
vertical mixing. The most impactful period is currently
forecasted for Saturday as an 85-96 knot jet streak moves into
the Inland Northwest ahead of the upper-level trough. Stronger
winds at 850mb and 700mb (around 25 mph and 32 mph,
respectively) combined with a +8-10mb PDX- GEG surface pressure
gradient will support widespread gusty winds with southwest wind
gusts 25 to 40 MPH. On Friday the NBM indicates a 30-70% chance
from the Okanogan Valley, Waterville Plateau, and the upper
Columbia Basin into the West Plains for sustained wind speeds
exceeding 15 mph combined with minimum relative humidity below
20%. Some cooling is expected on Saturday, raising the afternoon
relative humidity, with a 40-60% chance for the same
combination across the Inland Northwest. Despite the wetter RHs,
the winds are expected to be stronger than Friday, negating any
benefit of the cooler temperatures. The timeline of very hot
temperatures, lightning potential, and subsequent dry, breezy
frontal passage presents a high impact fire weather scenario for
the Inland Northwest Thursday through Saturday.
Sunday through Tuesday: Ensembles are in broad agreement for
the next upper-level trough to move onshore on Sunday, bringing
cooler conditions and a chance for light preciptiation along the
Cascade crest. Uncertainty in the synoptic pattern increases
Monday and Tuesday with around 40% of ensembles showing the
upper-level ridge rebounding with a return of heat. The other
60% show degrees of troughing, which would keep temperatures
cooler into early next week. /vmt
&&
.AVIATION...
12Z TAFS: High pressure and light winds will allow smoke and
haze to continue across the Inland Northwest. Smoke may
intermittently reduce visibilities to MVFR across TAF sites.
Some slightly higher wind gusts are expected toward afternoon
to evening near the Okanogan Valley and near the Cascades,
including KEAT/KOMK with gusts up to 15kts. Otherwise mid and
high clouds will continue to stream into the region from the
southwest.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Moderate
confidence in the visibility forecast at the TAF sites.
-----------------------
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 97 66 97 66 95 63 / 0 0 20 0 0 0
Coeur d'Alene 95 67 95 66 94 63 / 0 0 20 0 0 0
Pullman 91 61 91 58 91 57 / 0 0 10 10 0 0
Lewiston 98 70 99 68 100 67 / 0 0 20 20 0 0
Colville 97 62 96 61 95 58 / 0 0 20 10 0 0
Sandpoint 94 64 95 63 93 60 / 0 0 20 10 0 0
Kellogg 91 64 92 62 90 60 / 0 0 20 10 0 0
Moses Lake 99 68 98 64 98 63 / 0 0 20 0 0 0
Wenatchee 100 77 98 69 97 68 / 0 10 20 0 0 0
Omak 101 72 99 68 98 63 / 0 0 20 20 0 0
&&
.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Heat Advisory until 9 PM PDT Thursday for Central Chelan
County-Lower Garfield and Asotin Counties-Moses Lake Area-
Northeast Blue Mountains-Northeast Mountains-Okanogan
Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Spokane Area-Upper Columbia
Basin-Washington Palouse-Waterville Plateau-Wenatchee
Area-Western Chelan County-Western Okanogan County.
Air Quality Alert until 9 AM PDT this morning for Moses Lake
Area-Northeast Mountains-Okanogan Highlands-Okanogan
Valley-Spokane Area-Upper Columbia Basin-Washington
Palouse-Waterville Plateau-Western Okanogan County.
ID...Heat Advisory until 9 PM PDT Thursday for Coeur d'Alene Area-
Lewis and Southern Nez Perce Counties-Lewiston Area-
Northern Panhandle.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Spokane, WA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2:12 PM PDT | Fire Weather Watch | OTX | Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry and 8 more | 42 hr |
Nearby
Red Flag Warnings in Washington, 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.