Olympia area faces wildfire risks amid ongoing heat advisory today
.JPG "Kids take refuge from the heat at the Heritage Park Fountain in downtown Olympia.")
A heat advisory for the Olympia area is expected to expire tonight and temperatures should moderate by the weekend, but not before a sweltering day ahead.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the region that runs through 10 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 94 in the afternoon before dropping to the mid-50s tonight.
The heat advisory came into effect just before the opening of Capitol Lakefair today at Heritage Park in Olympia. However, there’s still hope for fair-goers looking for more moderate summer weather. The NWS still forecasts a high of about 88 degrees Thursday and high temperatures are expected to be in the 70s Friday and this weekend.
The heat advisory calls for people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms when possible, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors.
“Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles,” the advisory says.
The NWS warns the region’s dry and warm pattern has created critical fire weather conditions for the Cascade Mountains and Cascade foothills and valleys.
For the Chehalis Valley and South Sound regions, which include the Olympia area, there’s still a notable fire risk, but a less severe one.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources set the wildfire danger level for the Olympia area to “very high” as of last Friday.
Due to fire safety concerns, Thurston County temporarily banned residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns last week as well as placed restrictions on recreational campfires. The ban lasts through Sept. 30.
Similarly, campfires at Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park were restricted to established fire rings on Friday.
Thurston County declares hazardous weather event
Due to these conditions, Thurston County declared a hazardous weather event that is intended to increase shelter-in-place efforts and help people experiencing homelessness.
Olympia Mutual Aid Partners has increased the distribution of survival supplies to people living outside. Meanwhile, Sergio’s Place has extended its daytime shelter hours to last from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through today.
The shelter guest entrance to Sergio’s Place is located at 3501 Mary Elder Road NE in Olympia while the walk-up entrance is off Martin Way. Pets are welcome.
Additionally, Interfaith Works is accepting donations at Sergio’s Place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nonprofit is seeking bottled water, sports drinks, sports drink mixes, popsicles, non-perishable snacks, tarps, hats, summer clothing, sunscreen and related items.
Thurston County keeps an online list of available overnight shelters. Anyone looking for more information about shelters can contact the Thurston County Shelter hotline at 844-628-7343.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 9:59 AM.
