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High fire danger prompts Red Flag Warning across the Inland Northwest on Monday

Hot, dry and windy conditions will lead to high fire danger on Monday for much the Inland Northwest.
Credit: KREM 2 News

SPOKANE, Wash. — High fire danger Monday prompted the National Weather Service in Spokane to issue a Red Flag Warning for much of the Inland Northwest. The warning stretches from the Cascades to the Northern Rockies.

Parts of the Columbia basin will see wind gusts near 30 miles per hour with relative humidity levels dropping to 15-20%. For that reason, elevated fire danger is expected until after the sun sets.

Red Flag Warnings are issued for two main reasons: fire start potential and fire spread/growth potential. Strong wind and dry conditions make it easier for ongoing wildfires to grow and spread. The wind essentially fans the flames of wildfires helping them heat up and spread. The dry atmosphere or low relative humidity means that any spark or ember will stay lit longer, making it much easier for fires to start or spread.

The Red Flag Warning correlates to the passing of a dry cold front. Normally a front would deliver cloud cover, moisture, and wind. With the lack of moisture all we get is the wind. The wind ushers in a new airmass that brings about cooler temperatures. Following the passing of the front, fire danger will subside but daytime high temperatures will struggle to climb to 70 degrees.

    

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