Heat, haze on the rise around Portland Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Summer temperatures will peak this week around Portland as highs warm into the mid to upper 90s.

The summer heat has prompted heat alerts to fall over the Willamette Valley on Saturday. Dangerous heat will build into the mid to upper 90s by the afternoon hours. This comes as hazy conditions from Oregon wildfires move smoke into the Portland, Vancouver metro area. Air quality will likely decrease later in the day on Saturday and continue into Sunday.

Fire weather alerts will stay in place through the weekend as the chance of lightning increases on Sunday. Wildfires can start and spread rapidly during these relatively dry storms. Gusty winds from dying storms can move wildfires unpredictably and lightning strikes can start new fires.

This latest weak storm system to move through the Pacific Northwest will help cool temperatures closer to the average.

Afternoon highs and overnight lows will stabilize for much of next week. Rain will continue to be elusive, but at least cooler temperatures will help ease the wildfire threat.