Red Flag Warning

...PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) RED FLAG IN EFFECT 2PM UNTIL 8PM SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: KITTITAS VALLEY (ZONE 690), LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN OF OREGON AND WASHINGTON (ZONE 691), NORTHERN BLUE MOUNTAINS OF OREGON AND WASHINGTON (ZONE 692), CANYON GRASSLANDS OF WALLOWA COUNTY AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON GRANDE RONDE VALLEY (ZONE 693), GRANDE RONDE VALLEY OF OREGON (ZONE 694), EAGLE CAP WILDERNESS (ZONE 695), JOHN DAY VALLEY (ZONE 696), AND CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF OREGON (ZONE 700)...

.A strong cold front will pass through the Pacific and Inland Northwest on Saturday. Very warm, dry, and windy conditions will result, leading to extreme fire weather concerns and the potential for rapid fire spread for any new or ongoing fires.

The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 690 Kittitas Valley, 701 Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon, 703 Warm Springs Reservation and 704 Northern Deschutes National Forest.

* TIMING...From 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Saturday.

* WINDS...West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 23 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.