A dry cold front will push toward and through the area Friday and Saturday, bringing breezy west to southwesterly winds. Winds will be strongest near the Cascades and Western Columbia Basin. Wind speeds on Friday and Saturday will be similar, though winds on Saturday becoming more widespread in the eastern Columbia Basin. Combined with low afternoon relative humidity values, poor to fair humidity recoveries at night, hot temperatures and dry fuels, this will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions.

* Affected Area: East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705), Waterville Plateau (Zone 706), Western Columbia Basin (Zone 707), Eastern Columbia Basin -Palouse -Spokane Area (Zone 708) and Lower Palouse -Snake River (Zone 709).

* Winds: Southwest to west 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 25 to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidities: 8 to 20 percent in the valleys and 20 to 30 percent over the higher terrain.

* Impacts: Rapid fire spread is possible with any new or ongoing fires.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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. close

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies:

Washington Department of Ecology Colville Confederated Tribes Environmental Protection Agency Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency

An Air Quality Alert has been issued for Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman Counties until further notice due to current and expected smoke from regional fires. Particulate matter (PM2.5) may reach Very Unhealthy levels. When air quality is Very Unhealthy, everyone should reduce exposure. Stay inside and filter indoor air to keep it cleaner. Go elsewhere for cleaner air, if needed. close