Canadian front to bring fire danger to Central and Eastern Washington

A cold front out of Canada is expected bring heightened fire danger over the next two days.

The front moving south out of Saskatchewan and Alberta on Wednesday should kick up north winds and blowing dust.

The air mass is extremely dry, adding to the fire danger, but limiting moisture for thunderstorms.

North to northeast winds of 20 to 25 mph could be accompanied by gusts as high as 40 mph on Thursday with plenty of sunshine.

The greatest fire danger on Thursday will be in central Washington, the western Columbia Basin and Okanogan region.

A dust storm is possible near Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 2 through the basin.

Winds down the Purcell Trench in North Idaho may strengthen on Friday.

The north winds could gust to 33 mph in Coeur d’Alene and 25 mph in Spokane.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday afternoon issued a “red flag warning” for high fire danger in areas west and southwest of Spokane on Thursday and also a hazardous weather outlook for blowing dust and reduced visibility.

Temperatures will drop back into the 80s through Saturday.