Hot weather returns Friday, gusty winds on Saturday impacting fire suppression efforts

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – After a pleasant mid-summer day Thursday the region will be heating up Friday. The mercury in the thermometer will cross back into the 90s most locations which increases the fire danger in the area.

The hot air will only be with us for one day before some clouds arrive ahead of a cold front on Saturday. The cold front will be moisture starved but will generate some gusty winds as it crosses the state. Expect to see partly cloudy skies Saturday with highs in the middle 80s. The negative aspect to the frontal passage is the wind.

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday, which will more than likely become a Red Flag Warning.  The robust west winds at around 15 – 20 mph will combine with the very dry air and dry fuel on the ground to create dangerous fire conditions. Not great news for the fire suppression efforts throughout the area.

Sunday will be much cooler as highs will be in the upper 70s and low 80s and lighter winds. Plenty of sunshine will also be part of the forecast, so apart from any smoke that may be around, Sunday will be a great day to get out and enjoy the beauty we know as Central Oregon.

Monday will also be a quiet day weather-wise as we stay in the low 80s under sunny skies and a light breeze.

The heat comes back as we move into the middle of the week with highs in the low 90s Tuesday through at least Friday.

This is shaping up to be one of the more active wildfire seasons on record, as expected. The number of acres burned is well over 1 million and approaching the all-time number of acres burned in Oregon of 1.9 million set just two years ago in 2024.

As for the status of the fires at noon on Thursday, we see some good results and some challenges.

The Akawa Butte fire is now fairly well buttoned up as the interior portions of the fire are being tended to as the crews are in mostly a mop up phase.

The Rowe Creek Complex West Zone is still pushing south toward highway 26. There are portions of the fire in the west and northwest along with some areas along the northern edge of the perimeter that are not showing much heat. The concern is still the runs toward the south as well as the center portion of the fire where mostly rugged terrain has hampered suppression efforts. All in all, good progress, with some stubborn spots that are being addressed.

The Shingle Fire is still showing hot spots along the western perimeter as well as the south. The fuel type of timber and underbrush is allowing for a hot fire as well as a slowly progressing style of fire. A good deal of smoke will be generated from this event. A lot of the hot spots seen may be from the preemptive back burning that will help halt the fire progression. Latest report is very positive, with plenty of work to do nonetheless.

The Bench fire is actively burning along the western perimeter and fire lines and containment defenses are being established to keep the fire from progressing toward the west and northwest. The eastern perimeter is listed as contained, which is great news, and the movement of the fire toward the Billy Chinook lake area is being monitored and attacked aggressively. This should be a smoky fire today.

As the weekend approaches, the winds will pick up and the air remains dry so possible Red Flag Warnings are in play.  Winds are forecast to arrive from the west.

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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