Heat Wave Arrives, Along With Wildfire Danger

Isolated showers were expected in the Southland this morning as the region braced for another heat wave, which will create health risks and “elevated fire danger,” forecasters said.

The week’s highest temperatures were expected in valley areas from Wednesday through Friday, with highs reaching 106 degrees Fahrenheit, they said.

The heat -- the result of high pressure strengthening over the region -- “may result in an increase in heat-related illnesses, especially for the homeless, elderly, infants, outdoor workers and those participating in outdoor activities,” warned an NWS statement. “The extended period of hot and dry conditions will also bring elevated fire danger.”

The NWS forecast highs today of 75 in San Clemente; 78 in Newport Beach; 79 in Laguna Beach, Avalon and at LAX; 87 in Anaheim and Irvine; 88 in Long Beach and downtown L.A.; 87 in Anaheim; 88 on Mount Wilson; 89 in Mission Viejo; 90 in Fullerton; 91 in Yorba Linda; 94 in San Gabriel; 95 in Burbank; 97 in Pasadena; 100 in Saugus, Palmdale and Lancaster; and 101 in Woodland Hills.

Wednesday’s highs will be a couple of degrees higher in many communities and rise slightly again Thursday. A cooling trend is expected Saturday, when highs will be about the same as today’s.

Downtown L.A. is forecast to be 88 today, 90 Wednesday, 93 Thursday and Friday, and 88 on Saturday, when the cooling trend will start. Woodland Hills is expected to be 101 today, 105 Wednesday, 106 Thursday and Friday, and 100 on Saturday.

No heat records are expected to be set in Los Angeles County during the heat wave, but there may be some in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, according to NWS forecasters.

Forecasters urged area residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from the high heat. Residents should drink plenty of water, they said, and motorists must never leave children, the elderly or pets in closed cars parked in hot weather.

--City News Service