Red Flag Warning

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.