Poor air quality continues, dry and hot pattern returns Wednesday

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – After a few days with highs in the 80s, the heat will return by the middle of the week. Highs on Wednesday and will be in the middle 90s the approach the triple digits on Thursday. A ridge of high pressure, centered in the Desert Southwest, will push well into Canada and provide the heat.

Tuesday will be a warm and breezy as the region returns to the 80s. Highs will be in the upper 80s under mostly sunny skies and winds from the north at around 5 – 10 mph but gust near 15 at times. May not sound like much, but any wind will impact the fire fighting efforts and import smoke from north to south. The hottest fire locations to our north are the Grasshopper fire near Mt. Hood and the Rowe Creek Complex West Zone north of Prineville. Expect poor air quality in our region as a result.

Wednesday begins the hot pattern as the mercury in the thermometer rises into the upper 90s. The dry air and the light winds will combine with the heat to provide a rich environment for rapid fire growth if a new fire starts. The current fires are being managed well for this forecast, as always, but some fire footprints may expand in these conditions.

The peak heating day will be Thursday as currently the high temperature forecasts get us close or above 100 degrees. The same concerns apply with respect to the wildfires and potential new starts.

Friday continues the heat wave as the afternoon temperatures reach the upper 90s once again. The drought conditions and the heat this week are not great news for fire fighting efforts.

Little relief is arriving on Saturday but we will be a few degrees cooler, reaching the low 90s. Followed by upper 80s on both Sunday and Monday.

No relief from the drought this week as precipitation is not expected.

As far as the fires are concerned, great progress continues to develop on all events. The gusty winds of Saturday were handled well in Oregon as most of the more robust winds occurred north of Central Oregon fires. Still had some concerns and a few runs but only one large fire, the Round Butte Fire west if Madras developed. It has been managed well and the eastern perimeter is being contained.

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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