The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for much of central Washington and Oregon for Saturday, June 20, as a dry cold front sweeps through the region bringing dangerous fire weather conditions on top of an already active fire environment.

What the Warning Covers

The NWS offices in Spokane and Pendleton issued Red Flag Warnings for large portions of central and eastern Washington, including the Yakima Valley, Tri-Cities, and Columbia Basin areas, as well as northeast Oregon. The warning is in effect through Saturday evening.

Forecasters are tracking:

  • Northwest winds sustained at 15–20 mph with gusts to 30 mph behind the cold front
  • Afternoon relative humidity values dropping to the mid-teens
  • Elevated temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s Saturday before the front fully clears
  • Rapid fire spread likely with any new ignitions or ongoing fires

Why This Weekend Is Particularly Dangerous

The Red Flag conditions are arriving at the worst possible time. Multiple large fires are already burning across eastern Washington, including the 24,090-acre Tule Road Fire south of Yakima and the 11,740-acre Kartar Fire on the Colville Reservation, both at 0% containment. Incident managers on the Roza Fire north of Selah — currently 90% contained — have specifically noted the Saturday Red Flag Warning as a threat to their near-complete fire lines.

The incoming cold front provides a brief break from the punishing heat that drove extreme fire behavior earlier this week, when temperatures hit the upper 80s to low 90s and humidity crashed to the single to low-double digits. However, the frontal passage itself is what fire managers fear most: the shift in wind direction and gusty conditions can cause erratic, unpredictable fire behavior.

Looking Ahead

Behind the front, high pressure builds back into the region Sunday and strengthens through the beginning of the week. Forecasters are predicting temperatures returning to the low to mid-90s and afternoon humidity again in the low to mid-teens by early next week. The pattern offers little relief and keeps fire danger elevated through at least mid-week.

The NWS in Pendleton had previously issued Red Flag Warnings Monday and Tuesday, June 15–16, that coincided with the start of several of the region's current large fires, including the Upriver, Tule Road, and Kartar fires.

What Residents Should Do

  • Avoid any activities that could start a fire outdoors, including burning debris, using equipment that creates sparks, or shooting fireworks
  • Know your evacuation zone and have a go-bag ready
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts — in Oregon, use ORAlert.gov
  • Have a plan for pets and livestock
  • Keep vehicles fueled and parked facing outward for quick exit