UPDATED: Red Flag Warning Extended Into Monday for Lightning Risk
The Sunday warning remains in effect for parts of Klamath and Lake counties, with a new Monday warning issued for abundant lightning on dry fuels.
FAST WX Facts
What:
Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning on dry fuels.
When:
3 to 9 pm Sunday, July 5
2 to 8 pm Monday, July 6
Location:
Parts of Klamath, Lake, and Harney Counties. Fire Weather Zones 624, 625, 670, and 671.
Concerns:
New fire starts from lightning. Fires that develop could spread rapidly. Isolated outflow wind gusts up to 45 mph in the Medford warning area and up to 50 mph near Burns BLM and Steens Mountain.
Important Note:
A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is currently a fire. It means weather conditions could allow fires to start easily and spread quickly.
UPDATE, 1:20 p.m. Sunday, July 5:
The National Weather Service in Medford has extended red flag concerns into Monday for parts of southern Oregon, issuing a new Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning on dry fuels from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday for fire weather zones 624 and 625.
The existing Sunday Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday for eastern Klamath County and southern and central Lake County.
Forecasters said abundant lightning on dry fuels will likely create new fire starts across the region. Any fires that develop could spread rapidly, and numerous new starts could overwhelm initial attack resources.
Thunderstorms are expected to move north and northeast at about 20 to 25 mph, with a mix of dry and wet thunderstorms. Isolated outflow wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible.
The National Weather Service in Boise also continued a Red Flag Warning from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday for the Burns BLM and Steens Mountain fire weather zones, where scattered thunderstorms could bring abundant lightning and erratic outflow winds up to 50 mph.
Residents and visitors should follow all fire restrictions, avoid activities that could create sparks, have multiple ways to receive emergency information, and make sure they are signed up for county emergency alerts.
The National Weather Service hazard map shows Red Flag Warning areas across south-central and eastern Oregon on Sunday, July 5. A new warning has also been issued for Monday afternoon and evening for portions of fire weather zones 624 and 625. Image via National Weather Service.
MEDFORD, Ore. — A Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning on dry fuels remains in effect Sunday afternoon and evening for parts of eastern Klamath County and Lake County, and the National Weather Service has now issued a second warning for Monday as thunderstorm concerns continue across south-central Oregon.
The warning is in effect from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 5, for fire weather zones 624 and 625. The affected area includes Lakeview, Summer Lake, Bly, Alkali Lake, portions of the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge.
A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is already a fire. It means weather conditions are expected to make it easier for fires to start and spread quickly.
In this case, the main concern is lightning over dry vegetation. The National Weather Service said abundant lightning on dry fuels will likely create new fire starts across the region. Any fires that do start could spread rapidly, and numerous new starts could stretch initial firefighting resources.
Storms are expected to move north and northeast at about 20 to 25 mph. The warning calls for a mix of dry and wet thunderstorms. Even storms that produce some rain can still create fire concerns when lightning strikes outside the heaviest rain areas or when strong winds arrive with the storm.
A National Weather Service hazard map shows the Red Flag Warning area issued for Sunday, July 5, across parts of south-central Oregon, including areas east of the Klamath Basin, portions of Lake County, the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. Map courtesy of the National Weather Service Medford.. https://www.weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr
Isolated outflow wind gusts could reach 45 mph. Those winds can push flames quickly through grass, brush and timber, especially in areas where fuels have already dried out.
Residents and visitors in the warning area should follow all local fire restrictions, avoid activities that could create sparks, and have more than one way to receive emergency information. People should also be signed up for county emergency alerts and know where they would go if evacuation notices are issued.
Simple steps matter during red flag conditions: do not park over dry grass, avoid dragging trailer chains, postpone equipment use that can throw sparks, fully extinguish cigarettes and campfires where fires are still allowed, and report new smoke or flames to authorities.
FULL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WARNING
Red Flag Warning
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
236 PM PDT Sat Jul 4 2026
ORZ624-625-051315-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0004.260705T2200Z-260706T0400Z/
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
South Central Oregon Desert including the BLM Land in Eastern
Lake and Western Harney Counties-
236 PM PDT Sat Jul 4 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TO 9 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR
ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 624 AND
625...
The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 3 PM to 9 PM PDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Abundant lightning on dry fuels will likely create
new ignitions across the region. Any fires that develop could
spread rapidly. Numerous new fire starts could overwhelm initial
attack.
* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern fire Weather zone 624 and southern and
central fire weather zone 625, including Lakeview, Summer Lake,
Bly, Alkali Lake, portions of Fremont-Winema National Forest and
the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge.
* THUNDERSTORMS...Moving north and northeast around 20 to 25 mph.
Storm mode will be a mix of dry and wet thunderstorms.
* OUTFLOW WINDS...Isolated gusts up to 45 mph.
* DETAILED URL...View the hazard area in detail at
https://weather.gov/wrh/hazards?wfo=mfr
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Follow all fire restrictions. You can find your county`s
emergency sign up form as well as links to fire restrictions at
weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less wildfire.
Be sure you`re signed up for your county`s emergency alert
system. Familiarize yourself with your emergency plan and make
sure you listen to emergency services. Visit ready.gov/plan for
more information.
A Red Flag Warning is issued when we identify weather conditions
that promote rapid spread of fire which may become life-
threatening. This does not mean there is a fire. These conditions
are either occurring now or will begin soon. It is important to
have multiple ways to receive information from authorities.
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