Washington Officials Warn Rising Temps Could Bring More Fires

SEATTLE, WA – With the temperature expected to hover close to 90 for a couple of days this week, it's likely that one result is that people will be cranky. Another, more serious, result is that wildfire risk will be higher this week.

"Our firefighters are concerned that we may see more wildfires this week due to rising temperatures and higher wind speeds." Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz says.

"With 71 percent of our state experiencing drought effects, and no rain forecasted, we all need to be extremely cautious when outdoors."

Franz and forecasters with the Department of Natural Resources say that the drought conditions, combined with higher than normal temperatures on both sides of the Cascades and high winds could result in an increased chance of wildfires across the state.

The state has already seen it's first major fire of the season – the still-burning 243 Command fire by Vantage.

With rain not expected in the next week, officials are concerned that the second one could be on its way.