Smoky, hot, windy weather to end the week

We’ve hit a summer weather advisory trifecta in Kootenai County and the region.

An excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service continues into Friday with a high temperature of 102 degrees forecast today for Coeur d’Alene.

The weather service has also issued a red-flag warning for the Idaho Panhandle from noon today until 11 p.m. Friday. The hot, dry conditions will be followed with gusty winds and a threat of dry thunderstorms. This combination may lead to critical fire weather conditions with the potential for increased fire, spread of current fires and possible new fire starts.

And if the heat and wind aren’t enough for you, Idaho’s five northern counties are now under an air quality advisory due to smoke and wildfires from around the western U.S. and Canada. Air quality is in the moderate to unhealthy range for sensitive groups: people with heart and lung disease, older adults and children.