Update: Dangerous Fire Weather Continues, Relief In Sight

Expect an update by 7 PM tonight regarding the continuation of this weather event.

Dangerous fire weather is continuing across the Pacific Northwest. Here's the main points as of 6:55 PM Wednesday:

• The Sumner Grade Fire near Bonney Lake has burned 800 acres, is 20% contained, and continues to keep hundreds from their homes
• Air quality remains moderate-unhealthy across the region
• Winds are occasionally gusting 20-25 mph
• Today's high temperatures were 80-95 degrees across the region
• An Air Quality Alert and Red Flag Warning remain in effect through Thursday (click for alerts)
• Another day of dry, hot weather, with temperatures above 90 degrees is on tap Thursday
• Relief (and RAIN) is in sight, with forecasts showing a chance of rain Monday and Tuesday

It has been another day of dangerous fire weather across the western United States. This satellite image from this evening shows the massive amount of smoke from Oregon and California fires.

While we have been impacted by smoky skies in Western Washington, it is nothing compared to the incredibly thick smoke that has blocked out the sun and made for hazardous air quality in Oregon and California.

You can see photos of the devastation from the Western US fires here:

https://weather.com/news/news/2020-09-09-western-wildfires-california-oregon-washington

Moving forward in our area, here is the forecast for the South Sound:

Thursday will be hot, with highs 85-95 degrees across the area. Winds will gust 10-25 mph from the east. Smoke will still linger, impacting air quality.

Friday will be another warm day, with highs 80-88 degrees and dry conditions.

Saturday will be slightly cooler, with highs 75-85 degrees and lingering dry conditions. Around this time, winds will shift from dry, easterly gap winds to marine-influenced southerly winds. There is a chance that some Oregon smoke will blow north into our area from Friday to Sunday. I will be watching this possibility.

Sunday is even cooler, with highs 75-80 degrees. Conditions won't be as dry. 

There is a chance of rain on Monday! This chance continues through Tuesday and Wednesday, with high temperatures 70-75 degrees. There is also a chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will not be good as dry conditions could remain. 

Remember that all these details could change, and stay tuned to the blog for updates during this dangerous weather event in Western Washington.

Also, you can check our state's air quality here: https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=washington

My thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by fires in Washington, Oregon, and California. 480,000 acres have burned in WA as of Wednesday night, and fires are still going.