A heat advisory is in effect for the Seattle metro area and much of the Pacific Northwest from Sunday, June 14 through at least Monday, June 16, as a ridge of high pressure builds across the region. Portland is forecast to approach 100 degrees this weekend, according to the National Weather Service — a significant early-season heat event that fire managers say will dramatically raise wildfire risk across the region.

What the Forecast Looks Like

The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories and excessive heat warnings across portions of western Oregon and Washington beginning Sunday morning. Temperatures in Portland could climb to near 100°F — well above seasonal norms. Seattle is expected to hit the low-to-mid 90s, with some inland valleys in the Cascades foothills reaching even higher.

The heat is building as hazardous heat continues across the South, Southwest, and central California this weekend. Little relief is expected until midweek, when a shift in the pattern may bring cooler marine air back into coastal areas.

Fire Weather Implications

Fire managers are closely watching the combination of triple-digit heat, low relative humidity, and gusty afternoon winds — the classic recipe for critical fire weather conditions. The NIFC June–September wildfire outlook, released June 1, already forecasted above-normal significant fire potential across much of the West in June, including most of the Inland Northwest.

The heat wave comes as fuels across the Pacific Northwest are in exceptional condition for early fire spread. Low snowpack, a largely dry May, and an early green-up are accelerating fuel curing ahead of schedule. Fire meteorologists have noted that high-elevation timber fires are occurring two months earlier than normal this season.

Red Flag Conditions Possible

If afternoon winds increase as forecast, red flag conditions — defined by wind speeds above 25 mph combined with relative humidity below 15% — could develop across the eastern slopes of the Cascades and across eastern Oregon and Washington. Residents and recreationists in these areas should:

  • Avoid campfires, fireworks, and any burning until conditions improve
  • Refrain from activities that could spark fires (grinding, target shooting with steel-core ammunition, off-road vehicles on dry grass)
  • Check local fire restriction status before heading into national forests or BLM lands
  • Have a go-bag ready if you live in a high-risk area

Cooling Centers

Local jurisdictions across the Willamette Valley and Puget Sound region are expected to open cooling centers for residents without air conditioning. Check your county emergency management website or call 211 to find the nearest location.

Residents are encouraged to check in on elderly neighbors and pets. The combination of intense heat and potential smoke from fires in the region could create compounding health risks, particularly for those with respiratory conditions.