Medford, OR – Critical fire weather is set to impact communities across Northern California and Southern Oregon on Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening. Scattered dry thunderstorms and gusty winds are raising the risk of fast-spreading wildfires, putting Siskiyou, Modoc, and Trinity counties in California, along with the Klamath Basin, Fremont-Winema, and Rogue River Siskiyou National Forests in Oregon, on high alert.
The National Weather Service in Medford and Eureka has issued a Fire Weather Watch for these regions, warning of abundant lightning striking dry, parched vegetation. The risk of wildfires is particularly high in remote and heavily forested areas. Thunderstorm outflow winds may reach 40 to 60 mph in Oregon and 30 mph in the Klamath Mountains, exacerbating the situation and making fire containment nearly impossible.
Communities including Yreka, Mount Shasta, Alturas, Happy Camp, Weaverville, and the Klamath Basin are advised to prepare for potential wildfires, with power outages and smoky skies also possible. Residents are urged to avoid activities that could cause sparks, follow all local fire restrictions, and have go-kits and vital documents ready for evacuation if needed. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
This event follows a record-dry June, leaving fuel moisture at critically low levels across the region, which increases the fire danger. The risk of wildfires may intensify if conditions shift to a Red Flag Warning.
Stay alert for updates and potential new advisories through Thursday night. For more information, visit weather.gov/medford and ready.gov/kit.
