Alert archive / Washington / Red Flag Warnings in 2026
Red Flag Warning 6, NWS Spokane, WA
NWS Spokane, WA issued this red flag warning at Jul 6, 2026, 10:52 AM PDT for 14 counties in Washington. It took effect at Jul 8, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 11 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 6, 2026, 10:52 AM PDT (17:52 UTC)
- In effect from
- Jul 8, 2026, 11:00 AM PDT
- Expired
- Jul 8, 2026, 10:00 PM PDT
- In force
- 11 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Spokane, WA
Counties Adams County, WA, Asotin County, WA, Chelan County, WA, Columbia County, WA, Douglas County, WA, Ferry County, WA, Garfield County, WA, Grant County, WA, Lincoln County, WA, Okanogan County, WA, Pend Oreille County, WA, Spokane County, WA, Stevens County, WA, Whitman County, WA
The radar
The Spokane radar (KOTX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:55 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, 5.9 hours before the alert went out and 454 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1717 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 8 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -9 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 65 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
217 WWUS86 KOTX 061752 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1052 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...HOT, DRY, AND BREEZY CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL AND EASTERN WASHINGTON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY... . A dry cold front will approach Tuesday afternoon and pass through the area Tuesday night into Wednesday. Tuesday will be very warm and dry with temperatures in the 90s. Southerly winds will increase across Central WA between Moses Lake and Oroville. Late Tuesday afternoon and early evening, westerly winds will increase through the Cascade Gaps. Winds will remain breezy Tuesday night with fair to poor humidity recoveries. Gusty west to southwest winds will expand across Eastern Washington on Wednesday WAZ708-070600- /O.CAN.KOTX.FW.A.0005.260707T1800Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)- 1052 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 708... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR TUESDAY IS CANCELLED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 708... 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 10 PM PDT Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch has been cancelled. * Affected Area: Eastern Columbia Basin-Palouse-Spokane Area (Zone 708). * Winds: Southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ703-706-707-070600- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0005.260707T1800Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0005.260707T2000Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 1052 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 1 PM to 10 PM PDT Tuesday. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 11 AM to 10 PM PDT Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Tuesday: South winds 10 to 20 mph gusts 25 mph. Wednesday: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: Tuesday: 6 to 13 percent. Wednesday: 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ705-070600- /O.UPG.KOTX.FW.A.0005.260707T1800Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0005.260707T2300Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 1052 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 4 PM to 10 PM PDT Tuesday. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 11 AM to 10 PM PDT Wednesday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: Tuesday: South winds 7 to 13 mph becoming west 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. On Wednesday, west to northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: Tuesday: 9 to 15 percent. Wednesday 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ704-070600- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 1052 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 10 PM PDT Wednesday. * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: West to northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 16 to 23 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-702-709-070600- /O.NEW.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1052 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, AND 709... The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 10 PM PDT Wednesday. * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville Reservation (Zone 702) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$
5 follow-up statements
667 WWUS86 KOTX 070551 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1051 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...HOT, DRY, AND BREEZY CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL AND EASTERN WASHINGTON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY... . A dry cold front will approach Tuesday afternoon and pass through the area Tuesday night into Wednesday. Tuesday will be very warm and dry with temperatures in the 90s. Southerly winds will increase across Central WA between Moses Lake and Oroville. Late Tuesday afternoon and early evening, westerly winds will increase through the Cascade Gaps. Winds will remain breezy Tuesday night with fair to poor humidity recoveries. Gusty west to southwest winds will expand across Eastern Washington on Wednesday. Temperatures on Wednesday will be in the mid 90s with some local triple digit highs. WAZ703-706-707-072100- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0005.260707T2000Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 1051 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Tuesday: South winds 10 to 20 mph gusts 25 mph. Wednesday: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: Tuesday: 6 to 13 percent. Wednesday: 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ705-072100- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0005.260707T2300Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 1051 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM TO 10 PM PDT TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: Tuesday: South winds 7 to 13 mph becoming west 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 25 mph. On Wednesday, west to northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: Tuesday: 9 to 15 percent. Wednesday 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ704-072100- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 1051 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: West to northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 16 to 23 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-702-708-709-072100- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1051 PM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, AND 709... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville Reservation (Zone 702), 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 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$
172 WWUS86 KOTX 072022 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 122 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...HOT, DRY, AND BREEZY CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL WASHINGTON TUESDAY THEN CENTRAL AND EASTERN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY... . A dry cold front is nearing the WA Coast this afternoon and will pass through the area Tuesday night into Wednesday. Southerly winds are increasing across Central WA between Moses Lake and Oroville. Late Tuesday afternoon and early evening, westerly winds will increase through the Cascade Gaps around Wenatchee and Chelan. Winds will remain breezy Tuesday night with fair to poor humidity recoveries. Gusty west to southwest winds will expand across Eastern Washington on Wednesday. Temperatures Tuesday will be in the 90s then upper 80s to low 90s Wednesday. WAZ703-706-707-080530- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 122 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: Tuesday: South winds 10 to 20 mph gusts 25 mph. Wednesday: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: Tuesday: 6 to 13 percent. Wednesday: 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ705-080530- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0005.260707T2300Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 122 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: Tuesday: South winds 7 to 13 mph becoming west 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. On Wednesday, west to northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: Tuesday: 9 to 15 percent. Wednesday 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ704-080530- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 122 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 17 to 24 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-702-708-709-080530- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 122 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville Reservation (Zone 702), 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 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$
729 WWUS86 KOTX 080456 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 956 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...HOT, DRY, AND BREEZY CONDITIONS ACROSS CENTRAL WASHINGTON TUESDAY THEN CENTRAL AND EASTERN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY... . A dry cold front is nearing the WA Coast and will pass through the area overnight into Wednesday. Northwesterly winds are increasing across Central Washington between Wenatchee and Moses Lake. Winds will remain breezy overnight with fair to poor humidity recoveries. Gusty west to southwest winds will expand across Eastern Washington on Wednesday. Temperatures on Wednesday will be in the upper 80s to low 90s. WAZ705-081830- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 956 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: West to northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ703-706-707-081830- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-260708T0500Z/ /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 956 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ704-081830- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 956 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 17 to 24 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-702-708-709-081830- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.260708T1800Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 956 PM PDT Tue Jul 7 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville Reservation (Zone 702), 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 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 20 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$
940 WWUS86 KOTX 081815 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 1115 AM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 WAZ703-706-707-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 1115 AM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... * Affected Area: Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706) and Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707). * Winds: West 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * Relative Humidities: 12 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ705-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 1115 AM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... * Affected Area: Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705). * Winds: West to northwest 10 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * Relative Humidities: 14 to 26 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$ WAZ704-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 1115 AM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... * Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704). * Winds: Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$ WAZ701-702-708-709-090500- /O.CON.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 1115 AM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, 708, AND 709... * Affected Area: Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709). * Winds: West to southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * Relative Humidities: 13 to 22 percent. * Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely 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. && $$
909 WWUS86 KOTX 090452 RFWOTX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Spokane WA 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709... .Red Flag conditions are no longer expected. Relative humidity has risen above critical thresholds. Winds will gradually subside through the night. WAZ703-706-707-090600- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau (Zone 706)- Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707)- 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 703, 706, AND 707... Red Flag conditions are no longer expected. Relative humidity has risen above critical thresholds. Winds will gradually subside through the night. $$ WAZ705-090600- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705)- 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 705... Red Flag conditions are no longer expected. Relative humidity has risen above critical thresholds. Winds will gradually subside through the night. $$ WAZ704-090600- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Methow Valley (Zone 704)- 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704... Red Flag conditions are no longer expected. Relative humidity has risen above critical thresholds. Winds will gradually subside through the night. $$ WAZ701-702-708-709-090600- /O.EXP.KOTX.FW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260709T0500Z/ Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701)- Colville Reservation (Zone 702)-Eastern Columbia Basin - Palouse - Spokane Area (Zone 708)-Lower Palouse - Snake River (Zone 709)- 952 PM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026 ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 701, 702, 708, AND 709... Red Flag conditions are no longer expected. Relative humidity has risen above critical thresholds. Winds will gradually subside through the night. $$
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 6, 10:10 AM PDT, 42 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A gradual warming trend continues through Tuesday. Moderate HeatRisk on Monday and Tuesday with highs in the 90s.
- Elevated to critical fire weather conditions return Tuesday and Wednesday due to a combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 6, 10:10 AM PDT, 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
1010 AM PDT Mon Jul 6 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A gradual warming trend continues through Tuesday. Moderate
HeatRisk on Monday and Tuesday with highs in the 90s.
- Elevated to critical fire weather conditions return Tuesday
and Wednesday due to a combination of gusty winds and low
relative humidity.
&&
.SYNOPSIS...
A gradual warming trend will continue early this week, bringing
widespread highs in the 90s with potential for localized triple
digits Monday and Tuesday. This will result in a widespread
area of Moderate HeatRisk. Dry conditions will continue with
relative humidities falling into the teens to low 20s each
afternoon. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will
return Tuesday and peak on Wednesday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Monday through Wednesday: Ridging continuing to move eastward
through the state will result in warming temperatures to start off
the work week. Temperatures today will be 4-6 degrees higher than
they were yesterday. This increase in temperatures will result in
Moderate HeatRisk returning across the Okanogan Valley, Waterville
Plateau, and Columbia Basin areas. Temperatures will further warm
Tuesday, reaching the low to high 90s, increasing the coverage of
Moderate HeatRisk to much of the Inland Northwest. All those
sensitive to heat-related illnesses should make sure to keep
adequately cool and hydrated.
On Monday evening, a strong low off the Gulf of Alaska will begin
moving southward down the Canadian coast, and by Tuesday will move
inland and across British Columbia. By Wednesday, this low will
usher a strong and dry cold front through the area. This will result
in very favorable conditions for fire weather concerns as low
relative humidity is paired with strong winds from the frontal
passage. New and ongoing fires will be capable of easily escaping
control. Ahead of the frontal passage on Tuesday, winds in the
Cascade gaps will increase to 25-30 mph. Thus, a Fire Weather Watch
has been issued for the Okanogan Valley, Cascade foothills,
Waterville Plateau, and Western Columbia Basin on Tuesday from 10AM
through 10PM.
With the frontal passage on Wednesday, winds will increase across
much of central Washington, with widespread wind gusts 20-30mph
expected and wind gusts 35-45 mph expected along the Cascade gaps.
Current models show an 8-10mb pressure gradient between SEA and COE.
These higher wind gusts could result in blowing objects, alongside
challenging driving for high profile vehicles. Additional fire
weather headlines for Wednesday are very likely.
Thursday through Friday: Clusters and long-term models show
disagreement in the weather pattern to end the work week. Half of
the clusters show lower heights continuing to impact the area, which
will keep temperatures right at or just below normal. The other half
of clusters show higher heights moving through the area, which would
favor temperatures rising above normal. /AS
&&
.AVIATION...
18Z TAFs: VFR condtions expected at all terminals for the TAF
period. Winds will be generally light. Smoke from fires in
central Washington will lead to hazy skies at times across
Central and Northern WA though visibilities have been 6-10SM.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS:
High confidence for VFR conditions regionwide. Low confidence in
smoke from local wildfires lowering visibility or ceilings at
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 89 54 94 61 85 54 / 0 0 0 10 0 0
Coeur d'Alene 88 57 92 61 84 55 / 0 0 0 10 10 0
Pullman 84 52 90 56 81 50 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lewiston 91 59 98 64 89 59 / 0 0 0 10 0 0
Colville 90 52 93 58 86 51 / 0 0 0 10 0 0
Sandpoint 88 56 92 60 83 54 / 0 0 0 20 10 0
Kellogg 87 56 90 59 81 53 / 0 0 0 0 10 0
Moses Lake 93 57 97 60 87 52 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wenatchee 93 66 96 66 83 59 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
Omak 93 61 96 63 88 55 / 0 0 0 0 0 0
&&
.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Fire Weather Watch from Tuesday morning through Tuesday
evening for Foothills of Central Washington Cascades
(Zone 705)-Okanogan Valley (Zone 703)-Waterville Plateau
(Zone 706)-Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707).
ID...None.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Spokane, WA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 10:52 AM PDT | Red Flag Warning | OTX | Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan | 35 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.