The National Weather Service in Pendleton issued a Red Flag Warning for much of central and eastern Washington and northeast Oregon, in effect from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The warning comes as multiple wildfires are already burning actively in the region and emergency responders remain heavily engaged across southeastern Washington.

Warning Details

Meteorologists are forecasting dangerous combinations of wind, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures that are expected to produce extreme fire behavior across the warned area:

  • Wind: West winds of 20–30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph
  • Relative Humidity: Afternoon values falling as low as 19%
  • Temperature: Above-normal warmth amplifying drying of fine fuels

Officials warned that rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires during the warning period. A combination of strong winds, critically low relative humidity, and warm temperatures is a recognized recipe for explosive fire behavior and can allow fires to outpace initial attack resources.

Affected Areas

The Red Flag Warning footprint covers a broad swath of the region, including the areas currently affected by the Twin Sisters Fire south of Wallula Junction in Walla Walla County, the Tule Fire near Toppenish in Yakima County, and the Juniper Dunes Fire northeast of Pasco in Franklin County. All three of these incidents remain uncontained, meaning the forecast conditions pose a serious threat of fire growth and potential spotting ahead of the main fire perimeters.

Fire Weather Context

The Red Flag Warning is consistent with a regional pattern of early-season drying and above-normal temperatures across the Pacific Northwest. Fuels — particularly grass and brush — have cured early in much of central and eastern Washington following a dry spring. When combined with gusty offshore winds, these conditions can produce fire runs that travel miles in a matter of hours.

The National Interagency Fire Center has noted that significant fire potential for the Pacific Northwest was expected to increase through June. Predictive services modeling shows above-normal fire danger persisting into summer across much of the region.

What Residents and Recreationists Should Do

  • Avoid any outdoor burning — burning bans are commonly in effect during Red Flag Warnings; check with your local county or fire authority.
  • Do not park vehicles on dry grass — catalytic converters can ignite roadside vegetation.
  • Avoid dragging tow chains that can strike the pavement and create sparks.
  • Be cautious with campfires and equipment that generates heat or sparks in the field.
  • Have an evacuation plan ready if you live in or near dry, vegetated terrain in the warned area.

The Red Flag Warning will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Residents should monitor the NWS Pendleton office at weather.gov and local emergency management channels for any extensions or updates to the warning.