This week’s heat wave broke into record-setting territory, making Thursday the hottest Aug. 3 in Vancouver.
According to the National Weather Service, afternoon temperatures reached 105 degrees Thursday at Pearson Field. The day had heated up early; by 9:30 a.m., it had already reached 75 degrees.
The previous record high for Aug. 3 was 100 degrees in 1952.
The high was a few degrees lower than what had been predicted earlier in the week — smoke from several regional fires is keeping things a couple of degrees cooler — but conditions were still hot enough to set the new high mark.
Wednesday’s 102-degree high was one degree short of matching the 1939 record as the hottest Aug. 2 in Vancouver’s recorded history.
Forecasters say the worst of the heat wave should be over — though it will still be plenty hot in the days to come.
It’s expected to reach 96 degrees Friday. Saturday’s high should be 91. Sunday’s forecast high is 95.
The smoke has created poor air-quality conditions that are expected to last through early next week. The Southwest Clean Air Agency issued an air-pollution advisory for all of Southwest Washington, including Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties, though 7 p.m. Tuesday. Rising ozone levels in Clark County, smoke from British Columbia and Oregon wildfires and stagnant air conditions throughout the region are expected to last through Tuesday.
Fire danger
Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon remained under a Red Flag Warning for multiple fire hazards until late Thursday tonight. The region is under an Excessive Heat Warning until Friday night.
A recreational burn ban is in place through all unincorporated Clark County and within Yacolt and Battle Ground, due to conditions creating extreme fire danger.
On Wednesday, Camas, Vancouver and Washougal banned recreational burning. The bans will be in place at least for the foreseeable future, considering the adverse weather conditions.
The prohibition includes campfires, outdoor fire pits, outdoor fireplaces — including those with a chimney — and portable fireplaces also known as patio fireplaces.
However, gas and charcoal barbecues and self-contained camp stoves are permitted.
“A small campfire can accidentally spread to adjacent properties very easily with our current conditions,” Jon Dunaway, Clark County fire marshal, said in a news release. “This is a preventive measure designed to reduce that risk.”
The fire ban doesn’t extend to state and federal lands within the county.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has upped its fire warning level to high.
On Monday, forest officials will increase the Industrial Fire Precaution Level from Level I to Level II, increasing restrictions for work on the forest.
The change means that chain saws cannot be used between 1 and 8 p.m. on the forest. Operators will also have to keep a one-hour fire watch after cutting.
Recreationists are also urged to be extremely cautious with campfires.
More information on the county’s burn ban is available from the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office. It can be reached at 360-397-2186 or by visiting the county’s website at http://www.clark.wa.gov/development/fire/burning.html
