Fire danger: Red flag warning issued

Tuesday’s dry conditions and near-triple-digit heat have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for the northern and central areas of the Willamette Valley and greater Portland/Vancouver area as countless fireworks were readied for the Fourth of July holiday.

KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern predicts that temperatures reaching 99 degrees Tuesday, July 4. The red flag warning remains in effect through Wednesday, as temperatures are expected to linger in the mid-to-upper 90s. Wind gusts up to 30 mph are also possible.

“Hot and dry conditions and moments of breezy winds may cause any fires to spread rapidly,” Bayern said.

The NWS warns that conditions may be favorable for the rapid spread on any new or existing fires and outdoor burning is not recommended.

KOIN 6 News is a news partner of the Pamplin Media Group. Their full story can be found here .