Southern California will face increased heat and wildfire risk from the July 4 weekend into early next week, with temperatures reaching over 115 degrees in desert areas on Friday and forecasters issuing heat warnings and advisories across the region.
As the Thompson Fire continues to burn across more than 3,500 acres north of Sacramento, extreme temperatures and gusty winds will also combine with dry weather to create a high risk of new wildfires across the state.
“Tomorrow is going to be an absolute hot day,” Joe Szilard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office, said Thursday morning. “This is not a typical heat wave. This is a dangerous heat wave. This is a high-end heat wave. Very dangerous.
Heat warnings were issued Thursday for much of the valleys and deserts of Los Angeles County and the Santa Monica Mountains.
As temperatures soared into triple digits in Palmdale over the holidays, construction workers were hard at work on sidewalk improvements.
(Brian Vanderbrugge/Los Angeles Times)
Highs on July 4 are expected to be around 106 degrees in the valleys, 103 degrees in the lower mountains and 111 degrees in the deserts, according to the National Weather Service. On Friday, temperatures are expected to soar to 110 to 112 degrees in the county’s valleys and mountains, and 112 to 118 degrees in desert areas. The only areas of the county not experiencing extreme heat conditions are coastal communities, Szilard said.
Officials advise Southern California residents to take precautions to avoid exposure to high temperatures, which increases the risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The National Weather Service urges people to stay in air-conditioned areas during the day and evening, stay hydrated, check on neighbors and the elderly, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
“It’s so hot,” Szilard said. “Just use common sense. This is a dangerous heatwave and that’s why we’re issuing heat warnings.
Jacque McDonald, 39, drove to Hermosa Beach from their home in Tarzana with her husband and two young children Thursday morning to escape the San Fernando Valley (San Fernando Valley) high temperatures.
“We just came here because we knew it was going to be hot here. I don’t care about that,” McDonald said as a large group of people in bathing suits and sunglasses strolled down the Strand, gray clouds helping to lower the temperature. “We have a swimming pool in our complex, but we thought it would be crowded. So we planned to come here to the beach.
Annie Seawright is hugged in celebration after winning the Hermosa Beach Triathlon on July 4th.
(Michael Blackshear/Los Angeles Times)
Just before noon, dozens of tourists walked slowly along the dirt roads of Eaton Canyon Nature Preserve, a popular Los Angeles County park in Altadena that features a stream and a waterfall.
At the first water crossing on the trail, Mercedes Monje, 29, of Los Angeles, sat by the river with her partner and 2-year-old son, splashing in the water while her family sat nearby.
Monje said her family usually goes to the beach or the river on the Fourth of July.
They had planned to head to the East Fork of the San Gabriel River on Thursday. But when they arrived around 8 a.m., authorities told them it was full.
“We’re a little disappointed that we can’t get to where we actually planned to go, but we’re trying to make the most of it,” Monje said.
Meanwhile, the risk of wildfires in inland areas is high, with even small fires having the potential to quickly turn into larger blazes given the extreme conditions.
“We’re expecting high temperatures today, which will increase the chance of the fire spreading,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuna said. Fire departments across California are urging people to resist the temptation to set off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day or else New fires may start.
In Butte County, the Thompson Fire was only 7% contained as of Thursday morning, but the fire stabilized at 3,568 acres overnight, Acuna said. He said 1,962 personnel, 20 helicopters, 214 engines, 46 bulldozers, 43 water trucks and 37 crews were fighting the fire. At its peak, approximately 12,000 buildings were evacuated, affecting approximately 28,000 people.
“Firefighters on the front lines will continue to stay hydrated and prepared if the fire grows,” Acuna said, adding that “some fire evacuations and warnings” remained in place near the fire Thursday, although some fire levels have been downgraded. exist.
In Simi Valley, the Sharpe Fire grew to 133 acres and containment was updated from 15% to 60% Thursday morning, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Andy VanSciver said.
Airn Barnes enjoys the cool fountain at Courson Park Pool as temperatures climb into triple digits in Palmdale.
(Brian Vanderbrugge/Los Angeles Times)
The fire, which did not damage any buildings, prompted the evacuation of 60 nearby homes and issued evacuation warnings for another 340 homes.
“Containment lines have been held and are being reinforced,” he said, adding that he did not expect winds to cause the fire to spread. “We have enough resources on hand to handle it.”
