Triple digits continue for Tri-Cities--another EXTREME Impact Fire Day

NWS Pendleton has issued a Heat Advisory for the Kittitas Valley, Yakima Valley, Lower Columbia Basin, and the Blue Foothills. This runs from 12 PM Friday - 10 PM Sunday.

Today : It'll be another hot one across the area, as we’ll continue to be about 10 degrees above average. Highs should be in the upper-70s to low-80s in the mountains, with upper-90s for the Kittitas Valley and Blue Foothills. The Yakima Valley, and the Lower Columbia Basin, should be right around 100 degrees today. Skies should be sunny, although there might be light haze due to adjacent wildfires. Winds won’t be as much of a factor as opposed to yesterday. However, northwesterly gusts could still gust upwards of 25 MPH in the Kittitas Valley. Despite the relaxing of winds, today will still be a First Alert EXTREME Impact Fire Day. Fire fuel energy will continue to be in the 97th - 99th percentiles (compared to historical values). Fire will still have the capability to start and spread quickly.

Tonight : Skies will stay clear tonight, and overnight lows will be similar to Thursday night. It’ll be in the mid-50s to low-60s in the mountains, with low to mid-60s for the Kittitas Valley, Yakima Valley, and Lower Columbia Basin. The foothills of the Blues will be stuck in the mid to upper-60s. Winds will still be breezy in the Kittitas Valley, and they’ll likely spill into the Yakima Valley. Winds will gust out of the north-northwest between 20-30 MPH.

Extended : Highs will hover about 10-15 degrees above average (low to mid-100s in the Tri-Cities) through at least Thursday. Prolonged dry, hot weather will of course spell trouble for the potential of fire starts. We’re declaring more First Alert EXTREME Impact Fire Days, for the entire viewing area, through Thursday at least. Fire fuel energy values, compared to historical values, will approach or exceed the 99th percentile. In other words, fuels will be very dry! Please don’t be the reason for the next fire! Lightning-induced fires will be possible, as well, with small thunderstorm chances possible for Tuesday - Thursday. There are still details to work out, but it’s yet another reason to be fire aware in the coming days!

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