WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Nearby areas will face a heightened risk of fire danger and heat this week.

The National Weather Service in Seattle (NWS) has issued a fire weather watch for the west slopes of the North Cascades from Wednesday afternoon through the evening.

That means there’s the potential for “critical” fire weather conditions to develop in areas above 1,500 feet. Existing fires could also grow under the hot and dry conditions, which could impact air quality in the surrounding area.

The NWS has also issued a heat advisory for the foothills and valleys of the North Cascades, including Sudden Valley, through Thursday evening.

High temperatures could hit the mid-90s, which will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.

The dry weather this week is projected to keep several wildfires burning in the North Cascades.

The National Parks Service says that the Perry Fire, burning on the west side of Ross Lake, has now scorched over 600 acres as of Monday.

A helicopter dropped water on the fire on Sunday but was forced to retreat due to poor visibility.

The Perry Fire was sparked by lightning during a storm that moved across the North Cascades last week.

Additional fire crews will be tackling the flames starting on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Meanwhile, two other rural wildfires in Skagit County have been either contained or fully suppressed after burning a total of 2 acres.