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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Red-flag warning hoisted for lightning and fire danger

The National Weather Service today has posted a red-flag fire warning for the potential of new wild fires triggered by thunderstorms starting late tonight. The warning goes into effect at midnight and covers all of Eastern Washington and North Idaho. A pair of weather disturbances offshore today were expected to merge and then move inland overnight. They will bring thunderstorms with little rain initially. Lightning, damaging hail and high wind gusts are possible near the storms. Wetter thunderstorms are possible on Tuesday. Smoke visible aloft today is likely coming from the Warm Springs fire in north-central Oregon, forecasters said. Cooler air will fill into the region from the Pacific, dropping high temperatures from the 90s to near 80 through Thursday.