Windy and humid forecast prompts Red Flag Warning

MOSES LAKE — A Red Flag Warning has been issued for this afternoon until 8 p.m. Wednesday night for central Washington, the lower Columbia Basin region in-particular.

“Winds will increase across south central Washington and central and north central Oregon this afternoon and evening. Although winds will diminish overnight...winds will increase again during the day on Wednesday. The combination of gusty winds...low humidity...and very dry vegetation will threaten areas with extreme fire behavior,” the National Weather Service said in a release.

Winds are expected to blow between 10-20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph during the evening hours. Humidity is expected to be between 8-15 percent this afternoon and between 10-20 percent on Wednesday.

“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the National Weather Service says. “A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.”

— Staff report