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Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Red Flag Warning issued July 22 at 1:49PM PDT until July 23 at 10:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

1:49 PM — 10:00 PM

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 655 Black Hills and Southwest Interior Lowlands and Fire Weather Zone 659 West Slopes of the Central Cascades Generally above 1500 Feet. * WINDS...West 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent. * LIGHTNING...Isolated thunderstorm coverage is possible across the southern Cascade Mountains and portions of southwest Washington. Thunderstorms will develop late Wednesday night and move from south to north across the area. * OUTFLOW WINDS...Any storms that develop will be capable of gusty and erratic outflow winds between 25 and 30 miles per hour. Outflow winds can occur ahead of and behind storms and cause erratic wind directions. * TEMPERATURES...Up to 98. * TIMING...4 PM PDT this afternoon to 10 PM PDT Thursday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of a new lightning- caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air quality may diminish in the surrounding area. * IMPACTS...Scattered lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple fire starts. Thunderstorms can also bring sudden sharp wind shifts on existing fires, causing rapid changes in a fire's rate of spread and direction of spread. Thunderstorm outflow winds can be a threat for several hours following the start of a new lightning-caused fire. If a fire were to begin, air quality may diminish in the surrounding area.

Heat Advisory issued July 22 at 3:12PM PDT until July 22 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

3:12 PM — 11:00 PM

* WHAT...Hot conditions with high temperatures in the 90s to near 100 degrees and low temperatures in the mid 60s. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness. * WHERE...Foothills of the Western and Southern Olympic Peninsula, Middle Chehalis River Valley, Southern Hood Canal, Foothills and Valleys of Thurston and Lewis Counties, Lowlands of Lewis and Southern Thurston Counties, and Olympia and Southern Puget Sound. * WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for much of the population, especially those who are heat sensitive and those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.

Heat Advisory issued July 22 at 6:41AM PDT until July 23 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR

6:41 AM — 11:30 PM

* WHAT...Hot conditions with temperatures up to 103 degrees. This will pose a moderate to major risk of heat-related illness. * WHERE...Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington, Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Yakima Valley, and Foothills of the Blue Mountains of Washington. * WHEN...Until 9 PM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Today is expected to be the hottest day, with Major HeatRisk across the Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley and portions of the Gorge and Blue Mountain Foothills. Thursday will also see widespread moderate HeatRisk and locally major HeatRisk, mainly across the Columbia Basin. Smoke from area wildfires could end up affecting how hot temperatures get.

Overview

Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.3 million acres in southwest Washington State, including Mt. Adams and the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The forest is currently open but experiencing significant winter conditions and recent weather impacts. As of December 2025, the forest was hit by an atmospheric river that brought 16+ inches of rain, causing widespread road closures and localized flooding. Multiple forest roads remain closed due to washouts, slides, and damage, including FR 93 (washout at MP 6.95), FR 6808 (sinkhole closure MP 3.9-4.2), and upper State Route 504 at Spirit Lake (closed until possibly 2026 due to large slide). Winter road closures are in effect for seasonal gates - these roads are not maintained and can be hazardous. Most forest roads are not plowed in winter and may require high clearance 4WD or chains. The forest contains multiple ranger districts and offers extensive recreation opportunities including the Lewis River Recreation Area corridor. Current conditions are rapidly changing, so verify road and trail status before your trip, especially for backcountry access or Mt. Adams climbing.

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