Red Flag Warning for Seattle, Puget Sound issued as winds whip up



SEATTLE -- A Red Flag Fire warning has been issued for Seattle and the surrounding areas as a "critical combination" of wind, low humidity and dry fuels is expected to come through in the next few days.

The National Weather Service issued the warning for most of the Puget Sound area from Thursday morning to Friday evening.

A strong east wind is expected to begin through the Cascades and across a large portion of western Washington late tonight and into Thursday. The wind will continue into Friday, and is expected to dry out fuel sources, such as brush and timber.

The affected areas are the Puget Sound lowlands from Silverdale and Seattle on south, the NWS said. It also includes the Cascades from about Enumclaw and Stampede Pass on South, the east side of the Olympic Mountains, as well as the Northwest Olympic Peninsula and the Chehalis gap.

Wind gusts from 25 to 40 mph are expected Thursday near the Cascades. Gusts of up to 25 mph could rise in the lowlands.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical Fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly occur.

For more on the Red Flag Warning, click here>>>>