By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Potential record breaking temperatures along with dry and breezy conditions have prompted weather watchers to warn of a serious risk of fire danger.
Western Washington is ripe for wildfires into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
A fire weather watch was issued last night for the Southwest Interior lowlands along with much of the western side of the state.
Temperatures are forecast to be in the middle-90s in Chehalis over the next three days, reaching as high as reach 97 degrees on Friday.
The Department of Natural Resources today expanded its burn ban to prohibit campfires in state parks, state forests and all forestlands protected by DNR.
The weather service urges people to avoid outdoor burning of every kind, not to use fireworks and to use ashtrays in motor vehicles.
“After a relatively mild summer, we are entering a period of critical fire weather on both sides of the Cascades,” Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark stated in a news release. “The greatest fire danger right now comes from carelessness. It’s essential that people understand the risks involved and do not spark any fires.”
An excessive heat watch issued this morning by the weather service is in effect tomorrow through Saturday evening.