A heat wave is expected in Washington state, including the North Olympic Peninsula, this week.
The high temperature in Forks is expected to be 82 degrees today and Tuesday, 78 on Wednesday and 76 on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The Port Angeles high is expected to be 80 degrees today, 81 on Tuesday and 78 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sequim is forecast to be slightly cooler, with highs no greater than 78. Temperatures are expected to be no higher than 75 degrees in Port Townsend and Neah Bay is expected to see high temperatures of no more than 74 degrees this week.
DNR fire weather experts are predicting a high pressure system that will produce temperatures well above normal across the state. The heat wave might produce temperatures in excess of 90 degrees on both sides of the Cascades, officials said in a news release.
Such temperatures would dry grasses and timber ahead of potential high winds and thunderstorms toward the end of next week, said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz in the release.
“Fire season is here,” she said. “These hot temperatures can rob our forests of moisture, setting the stage for more wildfires.
“While we can’t do anything to stop lightning from starting fires, we all need to take special care not to spark new wildfires. Make sure to douse your campfires, don’t park in dry grass and tighten tow chains so they don’t drag on roadways.”
Four of every five wildfires in Washington are started by human activities, DNR said.
DNR increased burn restrictions in parts of eastern Washington earlier this week. Fire danger in Clallam and Jefferson counties was listed as low on the Fire Danger and Outdoor Burning risk map at https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/ protection/firedanger/.
