The Keetch-Byram Drought Index has Deep East Texas in a very high range for wildfire danger. Meanwhile, area fire departments are warning residents to use extreme caution with any outdoor burning. Currently, our immediate area is in the 500-700 range, with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 800. Fortunately, our local firefighters haven’t had to deal with many wildfires during the current heatwave, possibly due to people choosing to stay inside instead of going outside to burn trash or debris. Help may be on the way in the form of rain as the National Weather Service has showers in the forecast for every day through the weekend and into next week.
Forecast from the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:
Thursday - Showers and thunderstorms. High near 91. Heat index values as high as 98. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night - Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
Monday - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Monday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
Tuesday - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.