The National Weather Service has issued "Particularly Dangerous Situation" (PDS) Red Flag Warnings across broad swaths of the Pacific Northwest, signaling fire weather conditions so extreme that rapid, life-threatening fire growth is considered highly likely. PDS designations are reserved for only the most extreme combinations of heat, low humidity, and wind — and forecasters have used the label repeatedly this week across Oregon and Washington.

Oregon: East of the Cascades Wall-to-Wall

A PDS Red Flag Warning covers nearly all of Oregon east of the Cascades — stretching from Klamath Falls in the south through Bend and The Dalles in the north. This region, already hosting dozens of active large fires, faces temperatures well above 100°F, relative humidity in the single digits, and locally gusty winds. Fire managers have described conditions as among the most extreme on record for early August.

A separate Red Flag Warning covers the Columbia River Gorge and portions of Southwest Oregon, including the Umpqua and Western Klamath National Forests. Wind events in the Gorge are historically some of the most dangerous in the Pacific Northwest for fire spread, capable of pushing fire faster than people can flee.

Washington: Critical Conditions Statewide

In Washington, Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches cover large portions of eastern Washington — the same areas where the Spokane Area Fires and north-central Washington fires are actively burning. The Cascade gaps, which funnel westerly winds into the interior at speeds of 12–20 mph with gusts to 35 mph, are of particular concern for rapid fire spread.

The Weather Setup

A hot, dry, and unstable air mass has been building across the West for days and is expected to persist. Key factors driving extreme fire weather include:

  • Temperatures: 100–110°F in lower elevations; near-record heat in some interior valleys
  • Relative humidity: Dropping to 3–15% during peak afternoon hours, with poor overnight recovery
  • Winds: Locally breezy 12–20 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the Cascade gaps and northern Rockies
  • Monsoon moisture: Limited and not penetrating the Northwest — dryness persists

What Red Flag Means for You

During Red Flag conditions, any ignition — a spark, a cigarette, a debris burn — can rapidly become a catastrophic wildfire. All outdoor burning is prohibited across most of Oregon and Washington. The public is urged to avoid any fire-starting activities and report smoke immediately. Do not park vehicles in dry grass, and make sure your vehicle's exhaust and catalytic converter don't come into contact with vegetation.

Firefighters and incident management teams are pre-positioning resources and placing air tankers on standby ahead of forecast peak fire weather periods each afternoon.