Critical fire weather east of the Cascades led to multiple new wildfires over the weekend, including one that has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced 60,000 people to evacuate in the Spokane, Washington area.

A smaller wildfire near the Central Oregon town of Metolius quickly grew to over 1,000 acres and spurred evacuations as a red flag warning was in effect Saturday for particularly dry and windy conditions.

Now areas east of the Cascades, including much of the Willamette Valley, are starting the week with red flag conditions and looking ahead to possible record-breaking heat, according to the National Weather Service.

From Monday afternoon through evening, the southern Willamette Valley is under a red flag warning for wind gusts up to 40 mph and humidity as low as 20%.

“Conditions may be favorable for rapid fire spread, which may threaten life and property,” the warning reads. “Use extra caution with potential ignition sources, especially in grassy areas. Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

Critical fire weather with similar conditions is expected in the western Columbia River Gorge Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

See the latest National Weather Service alerts

From Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night, areas from Longview to Roseburg and from the Coast Range to the Cascade foothills are under a heat advisory, with temperatures forecasted to reach 100 degrees.

And smoky skies are likely to arrive in the area at the same time.

“Wildfire smoke is expected to increase west of the Cascades early in the week, which may limit high temperatures by approximately 1-3 degrees,” the National Weather Service advisory reads. “However, temperatures will still be hot enough to bring an increased risk of heat-related illnesses even if temperatures are dampened a few degrees from smoke.”

A heat advisory will also be in effect from Tuesday morning through Thursday night in Southern Oregon, with temperatures as high as 113 degrees expected in some areas of Curry, Jackson and Josephine counties.

Oregon wildfires have already burned nearly 2 million acres, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry, with nearly two months left of wildfire season.

ODF's Wildland Fire Situation Report is to help create a snapshot of large fire information, weather and prevention information. To read the full report, visit https://t.co/KIvh3cz0XR pic.twitter.com/Cg28YpDd5P

— Oregon Forestry (@ORDeptForestry) July 31, 2026

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/03/oregon-southwest-washington-smoky-skies-hot-weather/