As the Carr Fire has exploded to more than 141,000 acres, residents and firefighters across the western United States are bracing for an increase in winds this weekend before heat builds back next week.
A weak storm tracking in from the Pacific Ocean is expected to be potent enough to kick up gusty winds across parts of California to Nevada and Wyoming Saturday afternoon and evening.
"Gusts for the California fires can approach 30 mph, while gusts to 40 mph are possible in Nevada," AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said.
Such winds can easily spread the Carr and Mendocino Complex fires in Northern California and the Perry Fire in northwestern Nevada, as well as any of the other ongoing destructive blazes and any new fires that ignite.
The Carr Fire has now consumed more than 141,000 acres since being ignited on July 23 following the mechanical failure of a vehicle, according to Cal Fire.
Residents who have not been forced to evacuate but living in the vicinity of the fires should closely monitor alerts from government officials and be ready to evacuate at a moments notice.
The shifting blazes can further put the lives of firefighters at risk. Smoke can also be spread farther away from the fires than recent days.
"The peak wind gusts will be during the hottest part of the day, which is a problem for firefighters as well," Duffey, who is also a volunteer firefighter, said. "The combination of these winds and the heat can lead to extreme fire danger."
The heat this weekend will not be as intense as what the region endured at the end of July.
More typical early August heat is expected in the valley communities of Northern California and northern Nevada this weekend with highs in the 90s. This includes Redding, the city in which sections were destroyed by the Carr Fire.
In addition to the gusty winds, the storm may also touch off late-day thunderstorms from the far northern Sierra Nevada in California to southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada, as well as in the central Rockies.
These thunderstorms can do more harm than good by producing lightning and erratic gusty winds but little rainfall.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of fire-related advisories as well as the risk for any thunderstorms.
Winds are expected to lessen across most of California and Nevada on Sunday. The central Rockies from western Wyoming to Utah and western Colorado will face continued gusty winds and a heightened fire danger to end the weekend.
As the winds calm, attention will turn toward heat set to build back across the West next week.
By midweek, widespread highs in the 100s are expected from Sacramento and Redding, California, to Reno, Nevada; Medford and Pendleton, Oregon; and Boise, Idaho.
Highs in the 90s are once again anticipated for Portland, Oregon, as Seattle flirts with the 90-degree mark next week.
The heat is expected to hold into at least late next week, further feeding the ongoing blazes. Residents and firefighters will once again have to take the necessary precautions to protect against heat exhaustion and stroke.
While there will be less wind, the fire danger will remain elevated throughout the West.
"Rapidly-rising air caused by the extreme heat helps the fire to grow explosively as the fire will create its own wind, as well as fire vortices (firenadoes) and tree crowning (when the leaves get engulfed by flames), even on otherwise calm days," Duffey said.
On Thursday, July 26, the Carr Fire produced a fire whirl that caused damage equal to that of an EF 3 tornado with winds in excess of 143 mph.
Farther south, the Mendocino Complex Fire is comprised of the Ranch and River fires. Together, these blazes have charred more than 201,000 acres near Ukiah, California, and are threatening 12,300 structures.
Yosemite National Park announced that Yosemite Valley is among the areas of the park that will remain closed through Sunday due to continued unhealthy smoke impacts and ongoing firefighting operations as crews work to extinguish the Ferguson Fire.
That blaze has burned more than 80,000 acres and is 36 percent contained. Two firefighters have died while battling the fire.
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