Extreme weekend fire danger sparks major concerns

A major wildfire risk will build across a wide swath of western North America heading into this weekend, with some areas facing an extremely critical fire danger.

Very favourable conditions for fire ignition and growth will spread across portions of Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest during the day Saturday.

Smoke generated by ongoing or additional fires may blow across Canada later this weekend and into next week.

DON'T MISS: Wildfire smoke travels 2,000+ km to Ontario this weekend

Extremely critical fire danger builds this weekend

Warm temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds will combine to create very favourable fire weather conditions from Oregon to Alberta to kick off this weekend.

Conditions are so severe south of the border that the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warning for a swath of eastern Washington.

"Ongoing fires or new fire ignitions will be favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, which would threaten life and property," the NWS said, adding that the greatest danger exists between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. PDT on Saturday.

This weekend will also see a rising fire danger cross north of the border, stretching from the B.C. Interior east through the southern Prairies.

Saturday's greatest fire risk will exist across southern Alberta, where we can expect strong downsloping winds throughout the day. Strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h may also fan flames and fuel new ignitions in the B.C. Interior.

A widespread extreme fire danger will spread throughout southern portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan into the day Sunday as a secondary trough pushes through with very strong wind gusts across the region. Gusts up to 90 km/h are possible in spots.

Additional smoke impacts likely into next week

Hundreds of fires are already burning throughout Oregon, Washington, and B.C., sending thick plumes of smoke travelling east. Folks across Ontario are expecting hazy skies and occasional bouts of lower air quality as existing smoke moves through the region this weekend.

Any additional fire growth or ignitions that occur this weekend will generate additional smoke, which is likely to travel across the Prairies before being shunted south of the border by a stateside low-pressure system.

Thick upper-level smoke may travel all the way to Texas by the end of the weekend.

Residents should stay tuned to the forecast in the days ahead for potential smoke impacts, including lower air quality, hazy skies, and possible changes to temperature and thunderstorm forecasts.

Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Canada.