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PORTLAND - A state of emergency has been declared in Clackamas County and a burn ban put into effect for Multnomah County due to the wildfire threat.
The National Weather Service issued both a Red Flag Warning for wildfire danger in eastern reaches of Portland and a Heat Advisory for Portland, the Willamette Valley, Southwest Washington and the Cascades.
More: Multnomah County Burn Ban
The Red Flag Warning, alerting of high temperatures and low humidity that create ideal conditions for wildfire, was expected to be in effect until midnight Thursday for eastern Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Linn and eastern Lane counties and the Cascades.
Three hotshot crews inside the Mount Hood Wilderness battled the Dollar Lake fire directly on its western front Wednesday, while a mile behind them bulldozer crews carved lines. A half-dozen helicopters dropped water on hot spots.
Threatened structures were noted in the Lolo Pass community, including 325 homes, and the surrounding area.
Sign up for emergency alerts: Clackamas County
The Heat Advisory was expected to be in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday in the Willamette Valley, the Portland area, Southwest Washington and the Cascades.
Shifting winds may push wildfire smoke back into the Portland area and the Willamette Valley later Wednesday, according to KGW meteorologist Nick Allard.
Protect your property from wildfire
He said air conditions at Government Camp and Sandy were already listed as unhealthy for people with respiratory issues. People there should stay inside and keep windows closed.
Expect east winds Wednesday, Allard said, with sunny skies and possible thunderstorms in the Cascades. Highs in the Portland area will range from 93 to 98 degrees, he said, with records possibly falling later in the week.
Burn bans have been issued in Clackamas County and timbered portions of Washington County.
On Mount Hood, crews continued to battle the Dollar Lake Fire. Smoke from that wildfire could drift back into the Portland area later this week, Allard said.
More: Dollar Lake fire
This week was expected to be the warmest temperatures of the year in Portland, with highs predicted in the 90s.
More: Warmest weather of the year expected
Weather alert | Forecast | Air quality | 7 -Day
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