WASHINGTON, USA — Fire danger is expected to reach "near record" levels in the Northwest by midweek, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
A seven-day fire potential outlook released on Monday shows that much of Washington state is at an elevated risk of new wildfires. On Wednesday, three regions will be at high risk, which means there is more than a 20% chance of a significant fire starting.
Hot temperatures, dry brush, trees, and other fuels in the mountains paired with poor humidity and breezy winds mean if a fire does ignite, conditions would allow it to spread quickly and become difficult to contain.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Cascade mountains through 11 p.m. on Tuesday, due to hot, dry and "unstable" conditions, according to the NWS.
Humidity will be as low as 15-20% with only moderate to poor chances of overnight recovery. High temperatures in the Cascades will remain in the high 80s to 90s with overnight lows in the 60s.
Conditions are measuring at a 6 on the Haines Index, which is a scale used to measure wildfire risk. Six is the top of the scale.
The National Interagency Coordination Center lists human fire starts as the biggest danger over the coming days, however, there is a slight chance of elevated fire danger due to dry thunderstorms, which could occur over the Cascade mountains through Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to begin falling on Wednesday, however, they will remain in the high 80s and low 90s, and the region is not expected to see any precipitation for the next seven to 10 days, according to the KING 5 Weather Team.