PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The National Weather Service has issued warnings for an increased wildfire risk as temperatures rise to the triple digits later this week.
Excessive heat warnings for portions of northwest and west central Oregon and southwest Washington will be in effect from noon Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday with dangerously hot conditions of around 100 degrees.
Overnight lows are also expected to be in the upper 50s to nearly 70 degrees with the warmest temperatures expected in urban areas, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Cascade foothills and valleys.
Additionally, the east winds that fueled the 2020 Labor Day fires are likely to return to Oregon this week, though with less strength than four years ago.
Although the NWS has issued warnings for rising temperatures and an increased wildfire risk, KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern said wind conditions are significantly less severe than in 2020.
“Strong east wind events tend to occur more frequently in the late summer months," Bayern said. "This is somewhat common for this time of the year. However, there are still concerns for any fires to spread rapidly in these conditions. Please avoid burning during this very dry and hot time period."
An unusually late summer spike in heat will align with potentially gusty easterly winds Thursday, according to a Fire Weather Watch from the NWS. Forecasters predict wind gusts as high as 30 mph as humidity gets as low as 17%.
These easterly winds could make their way through the Cascades and create dry conditions through the Columbia River Gorge — creating ripe conditions for potential wildfires.
“Conditions may be favorable for rapid fire spread which may threaten life and property,” NWS said. “Use extra caution with potential ignition sources, especially in grassy areas.”
The Columbia River Gorge also faces a Red Flag Warning from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Thursday due to wind gusts as high as 35 mph and humidity levels ranging from 20-30%.
The Labor Day wildfires of 2020 in western Oregon started and spread rapidly during an east wind event, but with stronger winds than what the NWS has predicted this week.
"The 2020 Labor Day fires were made worse by a historic east wind event, where winds gusted up to 40-50 mph around the west Columbia Gorge and east Portland metro area," Bayern said.
The 2020 fires killed 11 people and destroyed more than 4,000 homes. Meanwhile, Oregon’s 2024 fire season — mostly impacting the eastern half of the state — has caused one death and destroyed 36 homes, according to the State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard.
Westerly winds are expected to cool western Oregon and southwest Washington by the weekend as near-normal conditions are expected to return early next week with a slim chance for rain.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage.
