Eastern Oregon could see rain and thunder this weekend. Red flag warning set for Baker County
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, August 13th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – Counties across Eastern Oregon may finally see some long-needed moisture soon, though with the caveat of continued fire danger. As of the time of writing, the National Weather Service offices in Pendleton and Bosie are predicting potential rain showers this weekend (possibly beginning tonight) with scattered thunderstorms.
Specifically, the forecast for Union, Baker, and Wallowa Counties predicts partial cloud cover and a 20-30% chance of rain tonight, beginning around midnight. The highest chance of showers thus far is Saturday, with a 40-50% chance of rain.
While any rain is welcome, the National Weather Service is also predicting accompanying thunderstorms, which could potentially lead to new fire starts. Baker County in particular enters a red flag warning today at 2:00 p.m., lasting through 8:00 p.m. on Friday. As written in full by the National Weather Service:
MONSOON MOISTURE WILL BRING SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY…
“A push of monsoon moisture will bring scattered thunderstorms to
the region Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. Lingering
dry surface air will limit the rainfall amounts on Thursday,
increasing concern for lightning ignitions.
ORZ675-131630-
/O.NEW.KBOI.FW.W.0018.260813T2100Z-260814T1500Z/
Baker Valley-
1220 PM PDT Wed Aug 12 2026
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THURSDAY TO 8 AM PDT
FRIDAY FOR LIGHTNING FOR BAKER VALLEY…WHICH IS FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 675…
The National Weather Service in Boise has issued a Red Flag
Warning for lightning, which is in effect from 2 PM Thursday to
8 AM PDT Friday.
* AFFECTED AREA…In Oregon, Fire Weather Zone 675 Baker Valley.
* TIMING…From 2 PM Thursday to 8 AM PDT Friday.
* THUNDERSTORMS…Scattered coverage with abundant lightning.
* OUTFLOW WINDS…Gusty erratic winds up to 40 mph.
* IMPACTS…Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will occur shortly.”
Residents are reminded that, while rain showers will bring some moisture and could help suppress ongoing fires, the overall fire danger will remain critically high and all restrictions and burn bans will remain in place.
