This weekend could bring critical fire danger to WA Cascades and lowlands
This weekend’s combination of high heat, low humidity and wind has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning, meaning that wildfire danger is at a critical level.
The danger extends from the Cascades to the Western Washington lowlands, the Weather Service said Tuesday.
Friday and Saturday
Gusty winds of 15-25 miles per hour from the north combined with humidity levels of 15-30 percent will make Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings dangerous, the Weather Service said.
Daytime highs will be in the upper 70s Friday and mid 80s on Saturday in the Tacoma area. The mercury will rise higher in Olympia, with highs in the lower 80s on Friday and upper 80s on Saturday.
Smoke from existing and new wildfires across the region could impact air quality Friday and Saturday in Puget Sound.
Heat risk will be at a moderate level, the Weather Service said.
Sunday
While dry and unstable conditions will continue on Sunday, temperatures will decrease slightly but still remain in the mid 80s for Tacoma and Olympia.
Fire danger in the Cascades will remain at a critical level.
Smoke will remain a possible hazard.
It’s worse in California
Weather conditions are even more critical in California where heat records are falling across the state every day this week in what’s being described as the worse heat wave in 150 years.
Wildfires have killed several people from northern to southern California.
With air conditioning cranked to the max the state is facing rolling blackouts and residents are being asked to reduce electricity use.
