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Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where
residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting
resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite.
Here's what you need to know.
Sizzling hot
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for
Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If
outdoor activities can’t be avoided, forecasters say, they
should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should
hydrate.
Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 94 degrees Fahrenheit
(34 degrees Celsius), while valleys to the north braced for
temperatures as high as 108 F (42 C). It will be several degrees
hotter in desert areas.
Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward
some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown
LA.
“It’s sizzling hot out here,” Catlett said. “I have sunblock.
Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I’m trying to stay out of
the direct sun.”
Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe
120 F (49 C), the weather service said.
In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and
Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F (43 C) in the
southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures
were likely in Las Vegas.
Fire risk
Red flag warnings, signaling elevated wildfire danger, have been
issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis
Obispo counties until Saturday.
“If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or
foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned
to your local emergency officials,” the weather service said in
a statement.
The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting
teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out.
“By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other
resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more
effectively when needed," said Nancy Ward, director of the
Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
In the Sierra Nevada, higher than normal temperatures, low
humidity and the possibility of lightning storms will contribute
to the fire risk.
California's largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, reached
95% containment Tuesday after charring nearly 206 square miles
(534 square kilometers) of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara
counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under
investigation.
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