“Southern California Braces for Triple-Digit Temperatures and Elevated Fire Risk: What You Need to Know”
An excessive heat warning has been issued for Southern California’s inland and desert communities, with triple-digit temperatures expected to persist through next week, posing an elevated fire risk in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
Portions of Los Angeles County, including Palmdale and Lancaster, as well as smaller towns in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley, are forecasted to experience temperatures ranging from 100 to 110 degrees. The warning is set to remain in effect until 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
Heat warnings have also been issued for mountain areas in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, as well as for desert communities in the Inland Empire such as Victorville and Apple Valley.
In the Central Valley, concerns about fires have been heightened due to high winds and dry conditions. Pacific Gas and Electric has announced a power shutoff plan to prevent wildfires, which could affect thousands of customers in the Fresno area, as well as Sacramento and Bakersfield.
Angeles National Forest in L.A. County has been a particular area of concern for wildfires. A fire broke out in the Fork area of the forest on Friday afternoon, spreading to 330 acres by Saturday. More than 200 personnel from federal, state, and county agencies are currently battling the blaze with the assistance of air tankers and helicopters.
As of Saturday morning, the Fork wildfire remains “0%” contained, with vegetation in the area extremely dry due to the hot weather. Two individuals were treated for potential smoke inhalation, and recreationists in the East Fork of the San Gabriel River area were evacuated as a precaution. However, residents have not been evacuated at this time.
The East Fork area, popular for hiking and camping, has been closed off to the public to allow firefighting crews clear access to combat the blaze.
Further east, near the border of Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino National Forest, approximately 300 firefighters are still battling the Vista wildfire, which has burned nearly 3,000 acres on the south side of Lytle Creek. The fire was reported as 83% contained as of Saturday morning.
Since July 1, there have been a total of 38 wildfires within and surrounding Angeles National Forest, according to forest spokeswoman Dana Dierkes.
In a separate incident, a fire dubbed the Deer fire ignited on Friday afternoon in Palmdale, north of East Avenue Q & 35th Street East. The fire, affecting around 270 acres, has since been fully contained by California officials.