Another heat wave brings high wildfire threat to Southern California
Southern California is bracing for another heat wave surpassing 100-degree temperatures in some spots, hot winds and low humidity – with Orange County fire officials warning those who live near wild lands to prepare for evacuation if a brush fire breaks out near their homes.
Red-flag warnings – cautioning that conditions are ideal for wild fires to explode – were set in place Sunday, Aug. 5, for Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains, the Santa Clarita Valley, and for portions of Santa Barbara County. They are expected to last into Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive-heat watch from Santa Barbara to San Diego starting Monday, Aug. 6, and going into Tuesday evening.
Monday and Tuesday were expected to bring the hottest temperatures this time around, with the heat wave expected to strain power grids.
The Orange County Fire Authority warned people who live near open country to be prepared to evacuate if a fire strikes.
“If you live near a wildland interface, be prepared and leave when asked,” said fire Capt. Steve Concialdi. “Remember the Five P’s – prescription medications, personal computers, photos, papers and pets.”
Heat on the way early next week / Be sure to stay hydrated
and limit your time outdoors
/ Heat will gradually subside mid and late next week / #cawx #heat #SoCal pic.twitter.com/9K0Z3ADIhn
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) August 4, 2018
The hot weather comes from the usual summer weather pattern of a high-pressure system from the desert moving into the area. That pushes hot winds toward the ocean and drops humidity.
RED FLAG WARNINGS in effect for areas in magenta from late this afternoon thru Tue evening. Hot/dry conditions, gusty winds and dry fuels could lead to rapid #wildfire growth for any new starts.#lafire #cawx pic.twitter.com/e9RvFd93h8
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) August 5, 2018
For Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, daytime humidity of 5 percent to 10 percent is expected to spread from the mountains and deserts to the inland valleys on Monday, with gradual recovery expected later in the week as monsoon moisture and coastal flow increases, the National Weather Service said.
Only the coastal areas will dodge the higher temperatures, although Orange County beaches could still see 83 to 88 degrees on Monday. High temperatures for valley areas in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are expected to nudge toward 110 on Monday and Tuesday.
Other selected forecasts for Monday, Aug. 6: 98 to 105 for the San Gabriel Valley; 98 to 108 for the San Fernando Valley; 101 to 106 for the Santa Clarita Valley; and 99 to 104 for inland Orange County.
Downtown Los Angeles will likely reach 93 and Santa Ana, 94, the National Weather Service said.
City News Service contributed to this article