The unusually hot temperatures in the Northwest are also bringing the possibility of more wildfires.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the Columbia Basin, where a sagebrush and grass fire is burning near the Adams County town of Lind. The state Fire Marshal’s office says it is sending help there.
Andrew Brown from the National Weather Service says the heat, combined with brisk winds and dry grasses, could increase the fire danger.
“That depends a little bit, also, on some variables that are hard to predict. Exactly how much cloud cover, if there are other regional fires that send wildfire smoke up this direction. That could actually keep the temperature down a little bit. That could actually help with the temperatures, even though then we would be dealing with air quality issues," he said.
The hottest temperatures came in southeastern Washington and northern Oregon. The Dalles and Pasco led with 115 degrees, all-time records in both places. Hanford and Hermiston, Oregon both recorded 114 degrees.
Omak and Ephrata set records with 109 degree temperatures. It was the third consecutive day for a record in Ephrata. Moses Lake also reached 109 degrees. Coeur d'Alene experienced 102 degrees on a day when it held its annual Ironman Triathlon. Spokane was also at 102, tying its record for June 27.