OTHELLO — A National Weather Service red flag warning for the Columbia Basin means skies could clear, but fire danger is increased. Maximum wind gusts could be as high as 40 miles-per-hour. Combined with hot temperatures and relative humidity levels between 10 and 25 percent, the recipe is just right for rapid growth of existing or new fires.
In a best-case scenario, the wind will effectively scrub lingering smoke from area skies, dramatically improving air quality. On Friday, air quality in Othello hovered in the “moderate” range.
Burn bans are in effect throughout the area.
Recent local high temperatures have flirted with the 100 degree mark in Moses Lake and Othello, with low 100s in the Tri Cities. The extended forecast calls for a slight cool down to more seasonal highs in the lower to mid 90s, with no precipitation.
