With high temperatures, dry winds and the threat of thunderstorms in parts of the state this week, Oregon is bracing for another active wildfire season.
In southern Oregon some people are facing “get-set” pre-evacuation orders, after the Sycan River Fire in Klamath County’s Fremont-Winema National Forest grew to nearly 700 acres Monday night. People in the area were still on evacuation stand-by Tuesday afternoon, and the National Weather Service in Medford has issued a fire weather watch in effect from Wednesday afternoon into the evening, ahead of expected winds and thunderstorms in south central portions of the state.
In the Portland area, the National Weather Service was more focused on high temperatures than flames, as thermometers topped 95 degrees Tuesday, marking it the hottest day so far for the area this year. Forecasts called for continued heat high temperatures in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington into Wednesday, before cooler weather prevails later in the week.
Justine Hicks floats with her dog, Kiana, on the Willamette River in Portland, Ore., Monday, July 6, 2015. People and their pets were out in droves in the river trying to keep cool from an extended heat wave with higher than normal temperatures for this time of year.
Don Ryan / AP
But Eastern Oregon may face the most scorching temperatures in the state, with forecast highs of 103 degrees. The National Weather Service says it could be a record-breaking day for the region.