With soaring temperatures in the 90s and 100s across Oregon and the possibility of thunderstorms, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging residents to be vigilant about the heightened fire danger. The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for much of the state, with the highest likelihood of thunderstorms along the coast, Coast Range, and Cascades. The forecast predicts scattered showers and thunderstorms moving northeast through the morning and afternoon hours, with lightning posing a risk of ignition in several areas.
Red flag warnings have been issued in 11 Oregon counties and in Washington’s Clark and Skamania counties due to the potential for abundant lightning. While the risk of lightning ignition exists in the north Oregon Coast Range and Willapa Hills, the forest fuels in those areas are not dry enough for significant fire spread. Despite the warning, the agency said that the conditions do not pose a significant threat to cause major fires in those regions at this time.
The public is advised to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines to prevent wildfires, especially in areas under red flag warnings. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to any potential fire incidents that may arise during these challenging weather conditions.
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