Red Flag Warning remains in effect as thunderstorms threaten North Central Washington

SPOKANE—The National Weather Service in Spokane has announced that the Red Flag Warning for North Central Washington remains in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday to midnight Wednesday night. The warning, initially issued on Tuesday, is due to the persistent risk of scattered thunderstorms with abundant lightning across the region.

The affected areas include the East Washington Central Cascades, the East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, the East Washington North Cascades, the Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains, the Colville Reservation, the Okanogan Valley, the Methow Valley, the Foothills of Central Washington Cascades, and the Waterville Plateau.

According to the urgent fire weather message issued by the weather service, the thunderstorms are expected to produce little to no rainfall and may be accompanied by gusty, erratic outflow winds capable of traveling a significant distance from the thunderstorm source. The combination of dry thunderstorms and dry fuels creates a heightened risk for new wildfire starts that could potentially overwhelm initial attack capabilities.

Furthermore, any gusty winds associated with the thunderstorms could cause rapid fire spread for both new and existing fires, exacerbating the already dangerous conditions.

The Red Flag Warning emphasizes that critical fire weather conditions are either currently present or will develop shortly. The weather service stresses that the aforementioned conditions can contribute to extreme fire behavior and urges residents and visitors to remain vigilant and prepared for the possibility of new wildfires.

As the risk of wildfires persists, officials continue to remind the public to exercise caution, adhere to any fire restrictions, and stay informed about potential evacuation orders in their area.