WEST END ALERT: Weather Service issues red flag warning

Published 10:11 am Friday, September 5, 2014

FORKS — The National Weather Service this morning issued a red flag fire danger warning for much of the West End for today.

“Offshore flow has developed, and red flag conditions appear likely for about 4-6 hours this afternoon,” the Weather Service said in a posted warning statement this morning.

“Temperatures over the northwest Olympic Peninsula will reach the mid-80s. Relative humidity will fall to near 25 percent, and east-northeast wind gust near 20 mph are expected.”

Forecasters said the great concern lies along the U.S. Highway 101 corridor in the Sol Duc basin, including Forks and Quillayute Prairie extending north past Burnt Mountain to Clallam Bay-Sekiu.

The red flag warning is scheduled from noon until 8 p.m.

“Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly,” the weather statement said. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”