Issued: Fri Jul 31 | 11:53 PM
In effect for: Colville Reservation; Okanogan Valley; Waterville Plateau; Western Columbia Basin; Eastern Columbia Basin / Palouse / Spokane Area; Lower Palouse / Snake River
Severe: Severe
Certainty: Likely
Urgency: Expected
A strong cold front will sweep across the Inland Northwest
Saturday. Very warm dry conditions and gusty winds will
contribute to rapid fire spread for any new or ongoing fires.
…PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG IN EFFECT 2 PM
UNTIL 8 PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: OKANOGAN VALLEY
(ZONE 703) – COLVILLE RESERVATION (ZONE 702) – WATERVILLE PLATEAU
(ZONE 706) – WESTERN COLUMBIA BASIN (ZONE 707) – EASTERN COLUMBIA
BASIN – PALOUSE – SPOKANE AREA (ZONE 708) AND LOWER PALOUSE –
SNAKE RIVER (ZONE 709). WIND GUSTS OF 40 TO 50 MPH COMBINED WITH
HUMIDITY LEVELS OF 15 TO 20 PERCENT WILL CREATE EXTREME FIRE
WEATHER CONDITIONS…
* Affected Area: Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley
(Zone 703), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia
Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin – Palouse – Spokane
Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse – Snake River (Zone 709).
* Winds: Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
* Relative Humidities: 15 to 20 percent.
* Impacts: Ongoing fires or new fire ignitions will be favorable
for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, which
would threaten life and property.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior. PDS Red Flag conditions are
extremely rare due to a combination of high winds and very dry
fuels. New fires will grow rapidly and out of control. Residents
should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out. Have
multiple ways to receive instructions from emergency managers,
and evacuate if ordered to or if a fire threatens.
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