08/15/2023
This is a great little explanation of reg flag warnings.Things are heating up!
Red Flag Warnings Issued for Unstable Fire Conditions
in Pacific Northwest 🚩🚩🚩
The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for a large portion of the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region due to unstable conditions combined with wind and low relative humidity.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. These warnings are issued when specific criteria are met to create prime conditions for fast fire spread if a fire were to ignite.
"Today's red flag warnings are in effect for extremely hot, dry, unstable weather west of the cascade crest,” said Ian Rickert, Regional Fire Planner for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service. “The challenging fire weather conditions coincide with areas that are experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought. Several measures of fire danger show we are approaching new record highs on the west slope of the cascades and in the coast range. Together, the weather and fuel conditions create a situation that lends itself to extreme fire behavior."
Visitors are encouraged to not only check for what local fire restrictions are in place but also consider alternatives to campfires, such as propane fire pits, which are allowed in most National Forests.
The Pacific Northwest has seen a significant increase in human-caused wildfires compared to previous years and the area covered by the warnings is extensive. Because of this, it is imperative to exercise caution with anything that can cause a spark, such as ci******es, matches, and fireworks.
What to do: ✅✅✅
• Stay informed about the latest weather and fire conditions in your area.
• Be prepared and keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of emergency.
• Be cautious with anything that can cause a spark, such as ci******es, matches, and fireworks.
• Look up fire restrictions in your area and follow them.
• Report any signs of fire immediately.
• Consider a less risky option for a campfire, such as a propane fire pit.
• Ensure trailer chains are properly secured and do not drag on the ground where they can spark and cause wildfires.
What NOT to do: 🚫🚫🚫
• Do not throw ci******es or matches out of a moving vehicle.
• Do not use fireworks or other pyrotechnics.
• Do not leave outdoor fires unattended, even for a short period.
• Do not park vehicles in tall, dry grass.
Additional information can be found here: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/weather.aspx.
To learn more about how to prevent human-caused fires, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/fire-aviation/prevention or https://smokeybear.com.