Hot weather prompts health, wildfire warnings

Published 9:45 pm Wednesday, August 17, 2016

EVERETT — Expected record or near record temperatures along with dry and breezy conditions are increasing the odds of wildfires on both sides of the Cascade Range.

High temperatures at Paine Field in Everett are forecast to reach 84 on Thursday, 86 on Friday and 84 on Saturday. The Thursday and Saturday highs would exceed previous historic records for the same dates. If Friday reaches its projected high, it would tie a record from the same date in 2015.

Temperatures also could exceed Everett’s official high for 2016. That was 87 degrees June 6.

In inland communities, such as Monroe and Sultan, highs are expected to reach into the 90s. Some locations in the Southwest Washington interior could get close to 100 degrees Friday.

Temperatures at night also are expected to be warm with lows only dropping into the mid 50s to mid 60s.

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued an excessive heat watch. That means the hot temperatures could create dangerous situations involving heat-related illnesses. Friends and relatives should check up on the elderly and people with medical conditions, said Johnny Burg, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle.

“It’s going to be warm and it’s going to be several days of hot and dry weather and there won’t be much cooling,” Burg said.

Weather service and forest officials are concerned about wildfire danger as parched grass, shrubs and trees serve as fast-burning fuel. High-pressure weather patterns will keep away the marine moisture that normally limits the spread of wildfires.

“With the dry conditions and the wind, the wildfires can start easily and spread quickly,” Burg said.

The Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday expanded a statewide burn ban to prohibit campfires in all of its forests and state parks.

“After a relatively mild summer, we are entering a period of critical fire weather on both sides of the Cascades,” said Peter Goldmark, the state’s commissioner of public lands. “The greatest fire danger right now comes from carelessness. It’s essential that people understand the risks involved and do not spark any fires.”

Island County Sheriff Mark Brown, who serves as the county’s fire marshal, ordered a total ban on all outdoor fires, even those that have previously been approved by permit.

Burg recommended people try to get out of the heat, including visiting air-conditioned libraries and supermarkets.

City parks also are bracing for more visitors.

“We definitely see lots of people in our parks when the weather warms up,” said Lynnwood city spokeswoman Julie Moore. “Our spray parks are very poplar in the summer, especially on our hottest days.”

In Marysville, the city’s new spray park at Comeford Park in the downtown has been busy throughout the summer, but likely will be more so over the next few days, parks and recreation director Jim Ballew said.

The city has seen increasing numbers of people using the parks, often strolling along shaded paths while playing the Pokeman Go game on their phones.

As temperatures rise, the strategy for many folks seems to be staying active while trying to keep cool.

“We are seeing more trail activity, people are going out to the forests rather than hanging out with soccer balls at Strawberry Field,” Ballew said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.