Red flag thunderstorm warning issued for Portland metro area, Willamette Valley, foothills

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for thunderstorms from 5 p.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday for areas including the northern and central Willamette Valley, northern Oregon Cascade foothills and Mt. Hood National Forest region.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected, and the combination of lightning and critically dry fuels may lead to numerous fires, the weather service warning says.

Additionally, there is a 10% chance for wind gusts more than 50 mph from the strongest storms.

Thunderstorm winds could result in erratic fire spread as multiple wildfires burn across the state, exacerbating the situation, weather officials said.

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center reports eight large wildfires, defined as 100 acres or more in timberland or 300 acres or more in grassland, burning across Oregon, with the largest topping 100,000 acres.

This year, there have been 22 large fires, compared to 12 at this time last year.

— David Nuñez covers breaking news and public safety for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-294-7607 or dnunez@oregonian.com.

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