Powerful winds are expected to raise the risk of fire to critical levels across the northwestern U.S. on Saturday. Forecasters with the National Weather Service have issued their most urgent alert for parts of Washington and Oregon, where dozens of large fires are already burning.

nyti.msWildfire Weather Poses ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ in Pacific NorthwestForecasters in Washington and Oregon are using their strongest language this weekend to signal a worst-case wildfire threat and get people’s attention.