Southern California is bracing for a "several day heat event" beginning Wednesday that will bring dangerously high temperatures and elevated fire danger through the weekend, prompting state officials to pre-position emergency resources across Los Angeles County.
The National Weather Service issued warnings Tuesday about the incoming heat wave, cautioning residents of a "high risk for heat illness and fire danger" as temperatures are expected to soar well above normal levels. Officials are urging residents to adjust any plans for strenuous outdoor activities to cooler morning hours or postpone them entirely for another week.
"Now is the time to adjust any plans for strenuous outdoor activities in the valleys and mountains to the cooler morning hours or for another week," the weather service advised. Residents living in high fire danger areas in the mountains or foothills are being told to review their evacuation plans and routes while staying tuned to local emergency officials.
The extreme weather system is being driven by a massive high pressure system positioned over the Four Corners region. This weather pattern is expected to strengthen Wednesday marking the beginning of what forecasters describe as a "long duration heat wave."
The high pressure system will severely limit the marine layer that typically provides coastal cooling, compressing it to just 600 feet and drastically reducing low cloud cover. Combined with weaker than normal onshore flow, temperatures are expected to climb 2 to 4 degrees away from the coast, with some areas seeing increases of 4 to 8 degrees above normal.
Thursday is forecast to be the most dangerous day of the heat event, with the upper high pressure system peaking and driving warming subsidence across the region. Downtown Los Angeles temperatures are expected to approach record levels, while areas like Woodland Hills could reach 109 degrees. The San Fernando Valley is expected to see temperatures ranging from the mid-90s to 106 degrees.
In Santa Monica, the high is predicted to be near 80 while the low is about 70 degrees.
"The combination of warm overnight lows and these daytime highs will result in dangerous heat conditions across much of the area," weather officials warned. "People need to plan now to mitigate the effects of this heat."
In response to the forecasted extreme conditions, Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to pre-deploy substantial firefighting resources throughout Los Angeles County. The preemptive action reflects lessons learned from previous heat events that have spawned devastating wildfires across the state.
"Extreme summer weather is returning to California this week," Governor Newsom said in a statement. "Now is the time to check the forecasts for your area and prepare for higher temperatures and dangerous fire weather. While the best thing we can all do is prepare now, the state is also pre-deploying resources to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire."
The deployment includes 10 fire engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers, one helicopter, two hand crews, three dispatchers and one Incident Management Team strategically positioned across Los Angeles County. These resources are designed to enable rapid response to any fire incidents, potentially containing blazes before they can escalate into major catastrophes.
Cal OES Director Nancy Ward emphasized the proactive approach as critical to the state's wildfire response strategy. "By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed," Ward said. "This strategy is about protecting lives, property, and communities by ensuring help is ready when it's needed most."
CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler confirmed that the agency remains fully staffed statewide in preparation for the heightened fire risk. "CAL FIRE remains fully staffed and prepared across the state as we anticipate increased temperatures," Tyler said. "Our dedicated team is committed to safeguarding communities and minimizing wildfire risk."
California's new CalHeatScore tool is showing much of the state reaching high and severe levels of extreme heat later this week, providing residents with location-specific heat safety information.
State officials are urging residents to take immediate precautions:
- Prepare a wildfire action plan, including evacuation routes and emergency supplies
- Sign up for local emergency alerts to receive real-time updates
- Visit CalHeatScore.CalEPA.ca.gov for location-specific heat safety information
- Review fire safety plans and ensure go-bags are ready with essentials
The heat event represents a return of August weather patterns after nearly a two-week respite from typical summer conditions. With fire danger accompanying the extreme temperatures, residents in mountainous and foothill areas are being advised to stay particularly vigilant and prepared for potential evacuation orders
The extreme temperatures pose significant health risks, particularly for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations. Recent research highlighted in the State of Sweat Index (produced by drink company Pocari Sweat) reveals that workplace dehydration is a widespread problem, with 83% of high-heat workers in Texas and California regularly experiencing potentially harmful symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or dizziness. The survey found that 25% of respondents have required medical treatment for heat or dehydration-related illnesses within the past five years, with rates reaching one in three workers in Los Angeles and Dallas.
The timing of the heat wave coincides with Los Angeles County's recent approval of groundbreaking heat-related tenant protection measures. The Board of Supervisors has established the first-ever maximum indoor temperature limits for rental units in the region, setting an 82-degree ceiling for rental properties in unincorporated areas. The ordinance, authored by Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, grants tenants the right to install portable cooling devices without facing eviction or retaliation. The measure takes effect in 30 days but includes a phased implementation, requiring compliance in at least one room by January 2027 and all habitable rooms by January 2032.
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