The sun as seen above Mountaindale on July 31, 2017. The sun is most commonly seen during daytime hours. Photo: Chas Hundley
GALES CREEK - The weather is expected to be hot this weekend, and there are Red Flag warnings, excessive heat advisories and excessive heat warnings depending on where in the region you live beginning at various times throughout the weekend. Check the detailed map at www.wrh.noaa.gov/map to see where your location falls in the list of hazardous conditions, as currently, our newspapers service territory is sliced into differing warnings and advisories depending on location, especially as one gets closer to the Coast Range. For all of NW Oregon, a Red Flag Warning has been issued beginning Friday, August 14 at 11 a.m. and extending to 11 p.m. that day, and again on Saturday at 11 a.m. through Sunday at 11 p.m.High temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit, low humidity, and dry winds all were factors in determining this weekends Red Flag Warning.
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Click here to startA Red Flag warning means, according to the National Weather Service, that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. According to Oregon Department of Forestry meteorologist Pete Parsons, theres also a chance that dry thunderstorms could spread across Oregon on Sunday, though he expects them to stay mostly east of the Cascades. An excessive heat warning was issued for much of Gales Creek and Hillside beginning Saturday at noon, while those in Glenwood and further up Highway 6 will see an excessive heat advisory. The difference between the two means that the danger of health issues from higher temperatures is slightly lower under an advisory than under a warning, but still a concern. The NWS issued a series of steps to take to protect from dangerously high temperature, including the following: -Drink plenty of fluids-Stay in an air-conditioned room-Stay out of the sun-Check up on relatives and neighbors. -Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911," the heat warning said.Fire danger was moved to High this morning for the Tillamook State Forest and surrounding regions in western Washington and much of Tillamook Counties.
