One of the longest stretches of heat this summer has descended on Washington this week, prompting forecasters to issue a “red flag” warning for fires in many mountainous areas.
The National Weather Service says temperatures will remain in the 80s through Sunday. Higher elevations, including Mount Rainier National Park, will see highs in the 70s all week.
“That’s an unusually long stretch of warm weather in September,” meteorologist Andy Haner said, adding that weather conditions could exacerbate fire danger.
“Any fires that get going have a greater potential of growing rapidly and exhibiting erratic behavior,” he said.
Officials said it’s unusual to see red-flag warnings – notices that weather conditions are increasing the danger of wildfires – for Western Washington. The alerts are more common in Eastern Washington, where it’s hot and dry most of the summer.
The current warning includes Mount Rainier, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest.
The weather west of the Cascades is of most concern the next few days, said Department of Natural Resources spokesman Bryan Flint.
The “critically dry and unstable air mass” prompted the fire warning, which is in effect through tonight, according to the Weather Service.
“It’s been a fairly quiet fire season up to this point,” Flint said. “Obviously we’re concerned about people letting their guard down and not being safe.”
With dry winds and warm weather, a handful of wildfires have cropped up across the state in recent days. On Tuesday, crews contained a wildfire that burned about 30 acres and threatened waterfront homes near Port Townsend.
A 150-acre fire continued to burn on the Olympic Peninsula but no structures were in danger. The Duckabush and Mount Jupiter trails in the Brothers Wilderness Area were closed due to the blaze. Smoke was visible from the Tacoma area.
Officials said both fires were caused by people, and urged caution. The Port Townsend fire was started by firecrackers. No cause has been determined for the blaze in the Olympics.
No major wildfires have burned in Pierce County this year. A burn ban is in effect in the county but campfires still are allowed in designated areas.
On Tuesday, a quarter-mile long brush fire burned along state Route 512 east of Steele Street in Lakewood, coming within 10 feet of several apartment complexes.
Investigators have not determined a cause but are looking into whether the blaze was caused by a cigarette thrown out of a car window.
“We’re going to be seeing a lot more of this as the weather warms up this week,” Central Pierce Assistant Chief Randy Stephens said.
To lessen the danger of fires, homeowners are encouraged to clear 30 feet of defensible space around their houses.
Rangers at Mount Rainier National Park keep an eye on the weather and are prepared if a wildfire breaks out, said Randy King, acting superintendent at the park.
About 50 employees are trained to suppress fires and are ready to respond at the first sight of flames. The crews also help with neighboring fires if needed, King said.
Forecasters said a high-pressure system is causing the warm, sunny weather and elevations above 2,000 are the biggest concern.
Tuesday was the fourth consecutive day this month with temperatures in the 80s. If it stays warm through the weekend, Western Washington could see nine consecutive days in the 80s.
“When we get 80-degree weather in September, it usually only lasts for a day or two,” Haner said. “Summer may have arrived late, but it’s making a late departure.”
Stacia Glenn: 253-597-8653
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
