Cowlitz County officials are reminding residents to take safety precautions as temperatures rise into the 80s this weekend.
Temperatures are forecast to rise to 71 degrees Thursday and 76 degrees Friday, with a high around 80 throughout the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Water in area lakes and rivers remains cold this early in the season and could threaten the life of swimmers and boaters.
The National Weather Service also issued a special weather statement for the region Tuesday advising extra caution with fire due to dry conditions.
“An unseasonably dry start to April has left vegetation drier than normal for this time of year along the Oregon and southern Washington coast,” the statement advises. “Meanwhile, breezy offshore flow is resulting in unseasonably warm and dry afternoons, further drying out vegetation across the region.”