The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, including parts of the Blue Mountains and Yakima Valley. Temperatures are forecasted to reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday — nearly 12 degrees warmer than average.
In this image provided by Cascades Locks Fire & EMS, crews fight the Wyeth Fire in Hood River County on Monday, July 7.
(Courtesy of Cascade Locks Fire & EMS)
The heat advisories will remain in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday, with slightly cooler temperatures expected for the remainder of the week.
NWS Meteorologist Cole Evans said Tuesday that residents should stay hydrated and remain in air-conditioned places as much as possible.
“Don’t work outdoors for too long and keep an eye on neighbors or friends who are more vulnerable to the heat like the elderly or the very young,” Cole said.
A red flag warning is in effect across central and eastern Oregon, from Klamath County to Grant County, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday. The weather service also issued an additional red flag warning for southern and north-central Oregon starting Wednesday morning.
The NWS is forecasting thunderstorms, severe lighting and windy conditions across the region Tuesday evening, increasing the risk for potential wildfires.
Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity have been upgraded to Red Flag Warnings for the Basins of OR and WA. These warnings are in effect Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/gAERiYyEdp
— NWS Pendleton (@NWSPendleton) July 8, 2025
“As far as the red flag warning and the fire weather watch, it’s more to avoid burning and to be responsible outdoors when conducting any activities that could potentially cause fires,” Evans said.
The warnings come after multiple brush fires burned hundreds of acres across the state Monday. In Crook County, the Sunrise Fire scorched 450 acres near Paulina, Oregon. It was reportedly caused by lightning.
The Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday that it is temporarily closing multiple public lands in Crook County due to the fire. The closures, which includes the South Fork Wilderness Study Area, will remain in place until safe access can be ensured.
In Hood River County, the Wyeth Fire, which sparked Monday afternoon, prompted officials to issue Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation orders for residents living along the Columbia River Gorge.
According to the Cascade Locks Fire and EMS, the Bonneville Power Administration had to cut power to the region amid the Wyeth Fire after one of their transmission lines was suspected of “being involved” in the fire. Power has since been restored to the area.
The fire has now been handed over to the U.S. Forest Service.
