August 17, 2022 4:20 a.m.

Abundant lightning is expected in mountain areas of southern Oregon with a Red Flag Warning and a Heat Advisory for Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

An Urgent Fire Weather Message from the National Weather service said lightning and high fire danger will likely result in new fire starts. Gusty thunderstorm winds could contribute to fire spread. Despite rainfall, initial attack resources could be overwhelmed and holdover fires are possible. The Warning area includes the Umpqua National Forest, eastern Rogue Valley, southern Oregon Cascades, Klamath Basin, Fremont Winema National Forest and a number of mountain areas in the region. Forecasters said instability increases Wednesday with scattered thunderstorms possible. Thunderstorms are expected to start dry and become wetter in time. In addition to the threat of new fire starts, a dry and unstable layer will support gusty and erratic outflow winds with any thunderstorms. Plume dominated fire activity will be possible with new or existing fires due to hot, dry and unstable conditions.

The Heat Advisory is in place from 11:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. High temperatures of 90 to 95 degrees are expected in mountain areas with isolated locations reaching up to 100 degrees. In parts of the Rogue Valley at lower elevations, high temperatures of 100 to 110 degrees are forecast.

Stay with News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN and check www.541radio.com for updates on the fire danger and weather situation.