Clark County, region likely to set heat record as temperatures climb into 100s

At the height of an extended heat wave this weekend, Vancouver is likely to break a record on Sunday for the highest recorded temperature for that date.

“Sunday is pretty guaranteed that we’ll break that record,” said Miles Higa, meteorologist with the Portland branch of the National Weather Service, which ordered an excessive heat watch for this weekend to raise awareness of the dangers.

The National Weather Service has set an excessive heat watch from Friday afternoon through Monday evening for much of the region.

Vancouver will be in a cooling period until Friday, when the high temperature will climb to the low to mid-90s. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, temperatures in Vancouver are forecast to reach 100 to 105 degrees. The lows on those days will be relatively hot, in the 70s.

“There will be fairly warm overnight low temperatures,” Higa said. “That adds to people’s heat stress, especially people without AC.”

Some of the weather models that Higa has seen for the weekend, including ones on some cellphone apps, predict the temperatures to be as high as 110, but that is highly unlikely, he said, and it’s unlikely to pass 105.

“That was the extreme, extreme values,” he said.

Vancouver’s all-time hottest temperature was 108 degrees in July 2009.

The fire risk is more elevated over the weekend with the higher temperatures, but at least wind won’t “fan the flames, so to speak,” Higa said. “We’re not looking at strong winds.”

There are a few record high temperatures for the Portland-metro area that could fall this weekend:

• Friday: A high of 101 degrees in 2017; a low of 64 degrees in 1973.
• Saturday: A high of 102 degrees in 2006; a low of 66 in 2015.
• Sunday: A high of 98 degrees in 2000; a low of 71 in 2015.

Monday: A high of 100 degrees in 2008; a low of 69 in 2015.

“If you can, reschedule any physical activities to a different time,” Higa said. “Be hydrated. Be aware of what the heat can do.”

Vancouver instituted a recreational burn ban that began about two weeks ago, and Clark County is considering enacting one for unincorporated areas because of this weekend’s heat, said Clark County Fire & Rescue Chief John Nohr. (A county burn ban usually begins on July 15 every year.)

“Fire bans are being discussed,” he said.

In Vancouver city limits, recreational fires, bonfires, campfires and fires in outdoor fireplaces are prohibited. Violators are subject to a $500 fine, which may include criminal penalties.

In east Clark County, Camas-Washougal Fire Department Fire Chief Nick Swinhart issued an immediate ban Tuesday on outdoor recreational fires in both cities.

Swinhart cited “dangerously high temperatures” and increased fire danger forecasted for the weekend as the reason for the ban, according to an agency news release.

All outdoor fires using wood fuel are prohibited in Camas and Washougal. Barbecue grills using charcoal or gas and gas fire pits are allowed, the news release states.

Heat and low humidity can cause light fuels, including grass and brush, to more easily burn and spread a fire, so fire departments are prepared to add additional staff if the National Weather Service declares a red flag warning, he said.

Nohr said to be aware that the main waterways are still cold and could lead to dangerous swimming conditions.

“Watch out for signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion,” he said. “Kids can heat up easier than adults.”

Some sporting and recreational events are likely to be changed or canceled. On Tuesday evening, the Portland Timbers announced that its Saturday match is being pushed back from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. because of the heat this weekend.