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Lightning in the Friday forecast By Ryan Pfeil of the Mail Tribune Aug 07, 2019 05:58 PM A A As firefighters work to contain multiple area wildfires, a storm system that could produce “frequent” lightning is forecast for Friday in southwest Oregon, according to the National Weather Service. The offshore system is expected to move up from the south, producing little to no rainfall early, but with a chance of wetting rain during the evening, according to a Weather Service bulletin. “That’s going to be rotating offshore, moving on shore as we head into the Saturday time frame,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Sven Nelaimischkies. “Ahead of that, it’s going to be pulling some moist, unstable air from the south.” On Wednesday, a fire weather watch was issued for Friday morning into Friday evening. It covers all Jackson County, most of Josephine County, central and eastern Douglas County and western Klamath County. “There’s a possibility of some new, larger fires starting,” Nelaimischkies said, adding the storm could be similar to the July 15, 2018, storm that touched off multiple wildfires, including the Klondike fire, which grew to 175,258 acres. Oregon Department of Forestry officials said they’re prepared for the incoming storm. “We definitely have our eye on the weather and what it could be doing,” said ODF public information officer Natalie Weber. “With the fires that we have right now ... we have a lot of contracted crews, so that’s freeing up district resources to be able to respond to lightning-caused fires or otherwise. We’re just going to be watching the weather and see what it does, and we’ll be ready.” On Wednesday, ODF firefighters had the 155-acre East Evans fire, located about nine miles west of Shady Cove, at 51 percent containment. The fire started Aug. 2. Earlier this week, ODF crews fully contained several lightning-sparked fires in the Applegate. In Douglas County, firefighters continue to fight the 13,119-acre Milepost 97 fire near Canyonville, which was 75% contained. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at [email protected] or 541-776-4468. 1004310895 OR_med_lightning.jpg