Red flag warning in effect as National Weather Service expects ‘abundant lightning’ and high winds

By OPB staff (OPB)
Aug. 13, 2026 2:29 p.m.

The advisory is in effect in areas of the John Day Valley, Blue Mountains and much of Eastern Oregon.

FILE — This undated photo provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation on Monday, July 27, 2026, shows the Fox Fire burning in eastern Oregon.

FILE — This undated photo provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation on Monday, July 27, 2026, shows the Fox Fire burning in eastern Oregon.

Courtesy of ODOT / AP

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for large parts of Northeast and Central Oregon and across Idaho.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

The weather service said the advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. today till 9 p.m.

There could be abundant lightning and thunderstorms in some areas combined with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. That can cause new wildfires to spread quickly.

The warning is in effect for areas of the John Day Valley, the central and southern Blue Mountains and the southern reaches of the Deschutes National Forest. The advisory stretches to the Idaho border and across much of that state as well.

Red Flag warnings are issued when weather conditions can cause extreme fire behavior.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: