NORTH BEND, Wash. – Warm temperatures and low humidity are raising concerns about wildfires in Washington state. Certain industrial activities in the forest are restricted, and there's a mandatory fire watch.
KING 5 Meteorologist Rich Marriott says after a warm day yesterday we'll get up into the 80s again today.
"We hit 84 at Sea-Tac, 86 in Olympia, 79 up in Bellingham. We're going to be right back there today," he said.
Fire crews are on alert and there's a red flag warning in place for parts of the state. There's concern about unstable and very dry conditions.
Just last week a series of fires was sparked by a truck that caught fire along I-405.
Today's red flag warning covers the west slopes of the Cascades south of Highway 2 down into Oregon. Most of Eastern Washington is under a fire weather watch.
And the Department of Natural Resources recently reported problems with people abandoning campfires and not putting them out - many in Pierce and King counties. Sixty-seven fires have been started statewide this year because of abandoned campfires.
Fire prevention experts say especially during the hot weather, never park your car or RV on dry vegetation because your exhaust could be hot enough to start a fire.
Washington state still has a ban on outdoor burning in effect, except in fire rings at designated campsites.
Marriott says tomorrow a large upper level low will slide into the coast for showers and much cooler weather, with highs dropping back to the 60s. Friday will start with showers but then clear out to party sunny but cool with highs staying in the 60s.
The DNR provides county-by-county information on fire danger. Click to view.
If you see a brush or forest fire, call the DNR emergency number 1-800- 562-6010.
