Rare weather puts Washington state at high risk for fires this Labor Day, experts say
Weather experts in Washington state are urging people to abide by burn bans and campfire bans as they head out for the Labor Day weekend.
A combination of low humidity and heavy wind gusts will make it easier for fires to spread, if started, said Josh Clark, fire meteorologist for the Department of Natural Resources.
“We’re not expecting any lightning for the next five days at least. So, any fires that do start will be 100 percent human-caused, and so that means all of these fires can be prevented,” he said.
Temperatures will reach high 80s and low 90s across the state on Monday when winds are expected to pick up.
The magnitude of the winds, which will reach up to 60 miles per hour in some areas, and the low humidity are rare for Washington state this time of year, Clark said.
“If you’re going to go out and create and enjoy the long weekend, that’s fine, but if you’re considering using fire, shooting — anything that could the create that spark, just don’t do it,” he said.
Fire crews are continuing to fight the Evans Canyon Fire between Naches and Ellensburg, which has grown to cover nearly 70,000 acres as of Friday morning.
