National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warning for eastern WA

Editor's note: The acreage of the fire near U.S. 730 has been updated.

The U.S. National Weather Service Station in Pendleton issued a red flag warning for much of central and eastern Washington and northeast Oregon Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening, June 16, for high winds and low relative humidity.

The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday. West winds of 20-30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph and afternoon humidity as low as 19% are expected, officials said in the Monday announcement.

Officials warned rapid fire spread is likely with any new or ongoing fires. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The footprint of the Red Flag Warning includes the ongoing fire near U.S. 730 south of Wallula Junction in Walla Walla County. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center reported the fire was at 8,262 acres as of Monday.

The Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team update Sunday, June 14, in the evening and said crews would be working and patrolling the fire through the night.

U.S. 730 reopened to traffic in both directions Sunday night, but responders have asked the public to stay clear of the area.

The incident management team said there are resources working from the Oregon side of the fire, as well.

Columbia School District in Burbank was serving as a staging area and temporary base for fire crews working the fire.

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