With warm, dry, and breezy conditions Friday and possibly Saturday, there will be an increased risk of fire spread. A temporary outdoor burning ban in Lane County has been issued starting Thursday, April 15, 2021.
The National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings for Eugene and Lane County from the coast to the Cascades. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Click here to see updates for our area.
Residents are encouraged to periodically check for updates on TV, radio, or the Internet, throughout the Red Flag Warning. You can also sign up for notifications from Lane County. This may be a good time to start planning to load your car for an evacuation. For more information, see your local Eugene neighborhood association’s disaster preparedness committee.
Here is the full text of the Special Weather Statement as of 1:25 PM Thursday:
Alert:
…UNSEASONABLE HIGH FIRE DANGER THROUGH THIS WEEKEND…
A period of prolonged offshore flow combined with slowly warming temperatures will lead to unseasonably dry conditions this week. In addition to the dry weather, north to northeast winds will increase slightly this afternoon before diminishing this evening. Even breezier conditions are expected on Friday as offshore flow strengthens.
Temperatures will also climb through Friday with highs topping out in the mid to upper 70s for the interior lowlands. Highs in the 80s are expected this weekend, although it should be less breezy.
Relative humidity values are expected to bottom out somewhere between 20% to 30% today and may fall into the teens Friday and Saturday. The warm, dry, and windy conditions will further dry out vegetation that is already near record dryness for this time of year.
The combination of all of these factors will elevate the risk of fire spread through this week, especially on Friday and Saturday. Extra caution is advised with fire, at least through the upcoming weekend. Be sure to check with your local fire district before burning, as there may be restrictions in place.
| Last updated: 13:25 PDT on 04-15-2021 |
| Red Flag Warning Issued: April 15 at 1:25PM PDT Expiring: April 16 at 10:00PM PDTUrgency: Expected Status: ActualAreas affected:Central Oregon Cascade Foothills; Central Oregon Coastal Strip; East Slopes of the Central Oregon Coast Range; North Oregon Cascade Foothills; North Oregon Coast Range; Willamette National Forest; Willamette Valley |
| Special Weather Statement Issued: April 15 at 5:00AM PDTUrgency: Expected Status: ActualAreas affected:Central Oregon Coast; North Oregon Coast |
| Special Weather Statement Issued: April 15 at 5:00AM PDTUrgency: Expected Status: ActualAreas affected:Cascade Foothills in Lane County; Cascades in Lane County; Central Coast Range of Western Oregon; Central Columbia River Gorge; Central Willamette Valley; Coast Range of Northwest Oregon; Greater Portland Metro Area; Lower Columbia; Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills; Northern Oregon Cascades; South Willamette Valley; Upper Hood River Valley; Western Columbia River Gorge |