Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 70s and mid-80s until the end of the week, the National Weather Service is predicting.
Despite some rain late Saturday and early Sunday, conditions remain dry and dangerous for fires, Port Angeles Fire Chief Dan McKeen said.
Rain is not expected for the rest of the week, meteorologist Johnny Burg said.
“It will be hot and dry, with no moisture,” he said.
“The heat will dry things out, and it won’t help the fire conditions at all.
“We are also concerned that on Wednesday and Thursday there is the possibility of thunderstorms in the mountains, which could ignite some fires.”
Although no red-flag warnings have yet been issued, there is the possibility of some, Burg said.
Port Angeles is expected to be sunny most of the week, with a high of 81 today, 84 Tuesday through Thursday and dropping to the mid-70s Friday, Burg said.
Sequim will follow the same progression, with temperatures about 2 degrees higher each day, Burg said.
Port Townsend will have a high of about 80 degrees today, 83 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday and about 87 degrees on Thursday before dropping to the mid-70s to lower 80s Friday, Burg said.
Forks will be in the high 70s today, possibly up to 81 degrees. Tuesday temperatures will reach about 84 degrees. Wednesday and Thursday will be in the high 70s to mid-80s and on Friday, it will drop to the mid-60s and 70s, Burg said.
The fire danger level is moderate, meaning that no fires larger than 3-by-3 feet are allowed to be ignited.
Recreational fires at designated camping spots are still allowed, but McKeen warned that people should be careful with those as well.
“Even though there is not a ban on those, people need to be extremely careful in these conditions,” he said.
Last week, a lawn mower ignited a fire on a lawn in Sequim, showing just how dangerous the conditions are, Bill Sanders, who oversees the fire conditions for the Department of Natural Resources, said.
He did not expect to elevate the fire warning level, but he continues to monitor conditions daily.
Two fires in Olympic National Park — one of about 1.5 acres and one of about 20 acres — are also being carefully monitored as they continue to smolder.
No new wildland fires had been reported to park dispatchers Sunday.
McKeen said that in addition to the fire dangers, hot weather brings other potential problems.
“Heat-related emergencies are also of concern,” he said.
“With the very young and the elderly, the danger of moderate to severe heat exhaustion or, even worse, heat stroke is very high.
“The most important thing is that when it gets warmer to drink plenty of fluids — even if you aren’t feeling thirsty — because that is the best way to prevent the heat exhaustion.”
Parents should carefully monitor their children and make sure they get enough water as well, McKeen said.
Pet owners should also watch the animals carefully.
“A good rule is to check the water bowl about once an hour,” McKeen said.
“Even if the animal’s physical activity goes down when it is hot, they still need more water.
He warned that people should not leave their animals in a car.
“When it is 80 degrees outside, it very easily is more than 100 degrees inside the car.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
