Red Flag Warning issued for Harney County as critical fire conditions threaten the region
By Mindy McKerrall on Thursday, August 27th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
HARNEY COUNTY-The National Weather Service in Boise has issued a Red Flag Warning for high winds and low relative humidity, signaling critical fire danger across parts of southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho on Thursday.
The warning replaces a previously issued Fire Weather Watch and remains in effect from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PDT on Thursday, August 27.
Affected regions in Oregon include Fire Weather Zones 670 (Burns BLM), 671 (Steens Mountain), and 672 (Southern Grasslands), alongside Zone 423 (Owyhee Mountains) in Idaho.
Forecasters warn that environmental conditions will be ripe for rapid fire growth. Southwest winds are expected to reach sustained speeds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph. Combined with unseasonably warm temperatures ranging between 85 and 93 degrees, relative humidity levels are projected to drop into the critical 9 to 19 percent range.
Under these conditions, any fires that develop will likely catch and spread quickly, making control efforts extremely difficult for wildland fire crews.
Fire officials strongly advise residents and visitors to avoid all outdoor burning, secure trailer safety chains to prevent spark-causing drags, and refrain from activities that could accidentally ignite dry vegetation during the warning period.
