September 7, 2022 5:40 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch from late Thursday night through Saturday morning for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity for the Umpqua Basin, Umpqua National Forest, Siskiyou Mountains and for the eastern Rogue Valley.

An Urgent Fire Weather Message said any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.

Forecasters said the hazard area will start off confined to the Cascades and grow through the day on Friday spreading into the foothills on Friday night when the poorest recoveries are expected. On Saturday, hot dry and unstable conditions are possible which may prompt additional fire weather issues for the Windigo Fire.

A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could promote wildfires which could become life-threatening.