Fire weather, hazardous conditions threaten Southern California amid heat wave
A heat wave began washing over the Southland Thursday, creating an elevated danger of wildfire and prompting National Weather forecasters to urge area residents to guard against "dangerously hot conditions."
The Weather Service warned of hot, very dry conditions, with humidity levels in the single digits, and strong gusty winds. But no red flag warnings were issued.
"Dangerously hot conditions are possible, especially away from the coast, Thursday through Saturday as strong high pressure builds over the region. The hottest day is expected to be Friday, when many valley locations will see temperatures above 100 degrees," the NWS said on its website. It said area residents should restrict outdoor activities to early-morning or evening hours, wear loose, lightweight clothing of light colors, and drink plenty of fluids other than coffee or alcohol.
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The warning noted that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments for people who work outdoors to guard against heat stroke.
"Also, never, ever, leave children, the elderly and pets in an enclosed car, even with the windows down during this heat," as car interiors can rapidly become hot enough to kill, warned the NWS.
RELATED: Authorities issue warning to never leave pets, children alone in hot cars
A heat advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday to 9 p.m. Saturday in the San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, both the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains, and inland Orange County. No special advisories were issued for the Antelope Valley because temperatures of 100+ there are not regarded as unusual.
The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies near the coast Thursday and lots of sunshine away from it, along with highs of 72 degrees at LAX; 75 in Avalon; 86 in Downtown L.A; 89 in Long Beach; 91 on Mount Wilson; 95 in San Gabriel; 98 in Burbank; 99 in Pasadena; 102 in Saugus; 104 in Woodlands; and 105 in Palmdale and Lancaster. A cooldown will begin Sunday, very slightly at first.
Sunny skies were forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 77 in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and San Clemente; 85 on Santiago Peak; 90 in Irvine; 92 in Fullerton, at Fremont Canyon and on Ortega Canyon at 2,600 feet; 93 in Mission Viejo; 94 in Anaheim and Yorba Linda; and 96 at Trabuco Canyon. A cooldown will slowly start Sunday.
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