SEATTLE — Fire risk will increase Wednesday in parts of western Washington amid elevated temperatures and scattered thunderstorms expected.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the alert Tuesday, with the Cascades and Olympics west of Puget Sound being covered by the warning. The NWS said the afternoon and evening hours are the most prone to fire starts.
According to the NWS ' website, the alert primarily focuses on the western portion of the Cascades above 1,500 feet. The warning will be in effect from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. The combination of thunderstorms and dry, hot conditions elevates the fire risk.
During a Red Flag Warning, any fires that develop are likely to spread quickly and outdoor burning is not recommended, according to the NWS.
Over half of the regions in western Washington are under a high risk for fires Wednesday, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center's seven-day forecast.
An air quality alert will be in effect for Chelan and Okanagan counties until further notice due to the Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan.
"This is the culmination of about a month of very hot, dry conditions," said Matthew Dehr, Washington Department of Natural Resources wildfire meteorologist. "So landscapes across the state are primed to burn and one thing they need to burn is ignitions."
Lightning could be that ignition.
Even where there is no red flag warning in effect, fire danger is still high. Eastside Fire and Rescue reminds people that debris burning is currently banned and recreational burning, while legal, is ill-advised and strongly discouraged.
EF & R wildfire mitigation coordinator Cat Robinson said the department offers mitigation assessments for homeowners, neighborhoods and communities within their service area to help people understand what changes might need to be made to prevent structural burning.
"Anybody in our service area can request a survey, and they're free," Robinson said.
In some cases, Robinson said the King Conservation District may be able to cost-share some natural fixes.
In terms of easy checks everyone can do, she said to make sure mesh over vents does not leave big enough holes for embers to get in, clean out gutters to make sure there is not fuel for fires to feed on, and harden surroundings in a way that makes homes less likely to catch fire.