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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Weekend weather: High temperatures exacerbate fire concerns

The Inland Northwest’s early summer heat wave continues through the weekend and into next week.

Fire danger remains extremely high and officials are asking people to follow all fire bans and restrictions, especially those pertaining to fireworks.

Highs in the region will range from the middle 90s to the lower triple digits, depending on location.

For Spokane, highs are expected to be 98 today, 99 on Friday, 96 on Saturday and 91 on Sunday.

But temperature in the downtown area and urban neighborhoods could be as much as three degrees hotter.

By comparison, Coeur d’Alene and other parts of North Idaho should be much more comfortable with highs starting at 94 today and Friday and then falling to 92 on Saturday and 85 on Sunday.

In the mountains, highs should be in the upper 70s to lower 80s at an elevation of 5,500 feet.

To the west, the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area should see highs of 103 today and 104 on Friday. Highs drop by several degrees back into the 90s on Saturday and Sunday.

Forecasters said they are watching for the likelihood of gusty winds on the east slopes of the Cascades where fire danger should hit critical conditions this weekend.

West winds of 10-25 mph are possible during the afternoons on Friday and Saturday.

Relative humidity could drop to as low as 18 percent during daytime heating, creating volatile fire conditions.

Also, moderate temperatures on Sunday are expected from a dry cold front on Saturday that could cause blustery north winds initially down the Okanogan Valley and then shifting into the Spokane region and North Idaho on Sunday.