Looks like tomorrow might be a big day, folks, fire-wise.

[DemoTex]

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING FOR THUNDERSTORMS WITH ABUNDANT LIGHTNING AND DRY FUELS.
THIS INCLUDES FIRE ZONES ORZ610 ORZ611 ORZ630.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PENDLETON HAS ISSUED A FIRE
WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING.

* AFFECTED AREA: IN OREGON...FIRE ZONE 610 EAST SLOPES OF
CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES...FIRE ZONE 611 DESCHUTES NATIONAL
FOREST...FIRE ZONE 630 CENTRAL MOUNTAINS OF OREGON.

* TIMING: SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

* LIGHTNING ACTIVITY: SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WITH LAL 3-4
ARE EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS: LIGHTNING COMBINED WITH DRY FUELS AND LIMITED
RAINFALL WILL PRODUCE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
IN THESE ZONES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS. FOR ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION...VISIT OUR
WEB SITE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON

If we have lightning, we will most likely have wildland fires. The
Haines index is at 5 (moderate), the ERC (energy release component) at
71, the relative humidity at 12%, and the winds are
gusting to 25. The forecast LAL (lightning activity level) for
tomorrow is 3-4. We have been at a fire danger level of EXTREME for
over a week, maybe more. Today the risk level was set at 2 - lightning
fires anticipated. Not good!

My guess? With a 20% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow and 30% on
Monday (which will probably bump up tomorrow), we will see lightning
strikes in 20-30% of our coverage area. We will probably have a few
smokes by evening, and more smokes Monday morning. The sleepers could
pop up days, weeks later.

The little lightning we had weeks ago was on an unusually wet forest.
Now the forest and open ranges are tinderbox dry. Explosive. This
could be the real deal over the next few days!

I'm set up to video and photograph the lightning storms much better
than last year (to the extent that it does not interfere with my
duties up here). If it happens, you will probably see it by early in
the week.

mac


Ground Zero for me

[Oregone]

1. Good luck

Thats a rough season. More often than not, I always remember the end of July ending in thunderstorms too just to top it off. :(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear DemoTex...

Please, more than anything, stay safe...

Your data are very scary...

I love the map! It's a beauty...

I'm looking forward, as always, to your video/pics, as you are able...

Give Nick a scratch from me, OK?

:hi:

[DemoTex]

5. Indeed! Scratch delivered. Tail wagged. Chops licked!

Well, then there was another licking - I won't go into that.

:hi:

[tavalon]

8. We fellow dog people know what you're talking about

Just 15 minutes ago, I was sharing an orange popsicle with my dog and my friend was grossed out. I told her that I had never gotten a cold from my dog but then she pointed out where his tongue had been. But Oly won the argument because, well, he's been here longer than she has! LOL

Edited to add: Stay safe out there!

[Suich]

3. Oh, jeez!

Well, good luck. mac! It's pretty dry in E. Washington, too.

:hi:

[DemoTex]

6. I reckon it is.

You guys might be in trouble too. But I only get the Oregon fire zone weather updates.

:hi:

[blue sky at night]

4. oh my...

12 percent relative humidity...it makes me jealous, we have been running about 80 to 90% lately with the temp today at 94 degrees, the heat index was at about 102....and we have had wicked thunderstorms the last two days as well...It just shuts me down when it is this hot and muggy! Good Luck and give Nick a pat for us!

[DemoTex]

7. Water, floods, and humidity there.

I'm watching your weather, too. Not good.

I gave Nick a pat for you, and he sends you a tail-flail and a big tongue drool (with a sneeze-in-snout!).

mac

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Take care, that topography

can make for fast spreading fires if the winds are right.

[DemoTex]

10. My road is on the steep side ..

My hiking escape is a easy slope on the northwest side. Plus the heliport.

[stevedeshazer]

11. The abnormally wet spring means lots of undergrowth. More fuel for range fires.

But, you knew that. Good looking out, Mac.

[DemoTex]

12. Indeed!

The damn manzanita is STILL blooming! What is that about? Manzanita burns like gasoline.