Heat warnings were issued for Southern California’s interior and desert communities on Saturday, with temperatures expected to reach triple digits next week and increased fire risk in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures of 100 to 110 degrees are expected in parts of Los Angeles County, including Palmdale and Lancaster, as well as smaller towns in the San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley. The warning is in effect until 10pm on Wednesday.
Heat warnings are also in effect for the mountainous areas of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and for desert communities in the Inland Empire such as Victorville and Apple Valley.
In the Central Valley, high winds and dry conditions have increased concerns about fires. Pacific Gas & Electric said thousands of customers, mostly in the Fresno area and in Sacramento and Bakersfield, could lose power Saturday as part of planned outages to prevent wildfires.
In Los Angeles County, the Angeles National Forest has been an area of ​​particular concern for fires.
A wildfire broke out in the Fork Forest area Friday afternoon and has now grown to 330 acres. Los Angeles National Forest spokesperson Dana Dierkes said more than 200 personnel from federal, state and county agencies were on the scene Saturday using “a large number of air tankers and helicopters” to extinguish the fire.
As of Saturday morning, the Fork Fire’s containment rate was “0%,” she said. “The vegetation is very dry and it’s very hot,” Dierks said, adding that officials hope to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible.
Dilks said two people were treated for smoke inhalation and recreational visitors were evacuated from parking areas at the East Fork of the San Gabriel River and the East Fork Trailhead. Residents have not yet been evacuated.
The East Fork area is a popular destination for hiking and camping, with many heading there to escape the heat, but those hoping to access the river via the East Fork will find the road closed, so crews and Equipment can have a clear path to extinguish fires.
Farther east, near the confluence of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests, about 300 firefighters are still battling the Vista wildfire, which The fire has scorched nearly 3,000 acres on the south side of Lytle Creek. As of Saturday morning, the fire was 83 percent contained, according to interagency information website InciWeb.
Dilks said 38 wildfires broke out in and around the Angeles National Forest between July 1 and 11.
Separately, a fire broke out in Palmdale on Friday afternoon, just north of East Avenue Q and 35th Street East. The Deer Fire, which affected about 270 acres, is fully contained, according to California officials.
