The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the Pacific Northwest, including the South Central Cascade Mountains of eastern Washington, with critical fire weather conditions expected Wednesday afternoon and into the evening. The warning covers Fire Weather Zone 695 — East Washington South Central Cascade Mountains — from 1 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday, May 13.

What to Expect

Forecasters warn that dry thunderstorms with abundant lightning and isolated precipitation will sweep through the warning zone. The combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds, and dry fuel conditions means any fires that ignite will catch and spread quickly.

"Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly," NWS stated in the warning. "Outdoor burning is not recommended."

Dry lightning events are among the most dangerous fire weather scenarios for land managers: lightning can ignite fires in remote areas simultaneously across a wide swath of terrain, overwhelming suppression resources and making early detection critical.

Regional Fire Weather Context

The broader Pacific Northwest is entering a period of elevated fire weather concern driven by:

  • Historically low snowpack — roughly one-third of normal across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho — leaving soil and fuels dry weeks earlier than usual
  • Above-normal temperatures forecast through summer, consistent with an emerging El Nino pattern
  • Dry springs accelerating fuel curing east of the Cascades

The Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue has also noted a Red Flag Warning in effect for its jurisdiction, reminding residents that a Red Flag Warning "means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly."

What Residents Should Do

During Red Flag Warning conditions, fire agencies ask the public to:

  • Avoid all outdoor burning, including campfires and debris burning
  • Avoid using equipment that can generate sparks — chainsaws, grinders, or equipment with catalytic converters — in dry vegetation
  • Do not park vehicles on dry grass
  • Know your evacuation zone and have a go-bag ready
  • Report any smoke immediately by calling 9-1-1

With BLM fire restrictions taking effect across Oregon and Washington on May 14, officials are urging all outdoor users to check current restrictions before heading out. The combination of dry lightning and record-low moisture levels makes this a particularly high-risk period for wildfire ignition across the region.