Red Flag Warning Issued Saturday for Portions of Union, Umatilla, Grant and Harney Counties

EASTERN OREGON

(Release from the National Weather Service) The National Weather Service in Pendleton has Issued a Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning, which is in effect from 11am to 11pm PDT Saturday.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zones 642 Southern Blue and Strawberry Mountains and 644 Central Blue Mountains.

* Impacts: Lightning strikes may Create new fire starts.

* Thunderstorms: storms are most likely to occur within an area encompassing the John Day/Ochoco Highlands, spreading Northeastward up to through the Eastern Mountains of Oregon. A lesser chance of storms exists over Central Oregon and Its adjacent mountains.

* Outflow winds, erratic winds Up to 40 MPH will be possible within storms. 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.