The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag" warning for the Washington and Oregon's west coast through midnight Saturday Sept. 10.

Officials noted the warning was needed due to wind and low relative humidity for fire weather in Jefferson County and 11 other northwest counties.

Red Flag warnings are defined as critical fire weather conditions are either imminent or occurring. Any fires that develop will likely spread quickly.

The potential for fires remains elevated due to the combination of high fire danger and hot, dry and unstable weather.

Temperatures are expected to be in the 80s, rising to 90 degrees Friday morning through Saturday evening, and the National Weather Service has forecast winds from the east or northwest of 10 to 20 mph, with possible gusts up to 30 mph.

Local fire departments are not currently deploying firefighters to fires elsewhere in the state due to the potential they may be needed in Jefferson County. 

Both East Jefferson and Port Ludlow Fire Districts have withheld mutual aid resources that normally support state mobilization efforts, due to the local wildfire potential, East Jefferson Fire Rescue reported Thursday.

Both fire districts and adjacent fire service partners are coordinating response efforts, officials with East Jefferson Fire Rescue noted.