“California Heat Wave Continues: Fire Risks, Power Shutoffs, and Evacuations”

An unusually warm autumn heat wave is continuing to push temperatures up across California, heightening fire risks across the state and prompting power shutoffs in the north and additional wildfire evacuations in the south.

Heat advisories have been issued throughout the state, with temperatures in the triple digits expected this week from San Diego through Redding. Most areas are experiencing highs at least 10 to 20 degrees above average for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service.

The abnormal heat for this season is drying out landscapes and dropping humidity levels, creating conditions that are conducive to rapid wildfire growth. As a result, power shutoffs have been implemented by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in Northern California to minimize the risk of fires igniting during high-risk weather conditions.

As of Monday morning, PG&E had cut power to about 9,500 customers in Butte, Shasta, and other counties, with more shutoffs possible based on real-time weather conditions. A total of 12,371 customers in 11 counties could be affected by the outages, which are expected to last through Tuesday evening.

In Southern California, the Line fire in San Bernardino County, which has been burning for almost a month, experienced flareups over the weekend due to increased heat. The fire, which is 80% contained, expanded beyond firefighters’ expectations, prompting additional evacuations in the area.

Other fires in the region, including the Bridge fire in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Airport fire in Orange and Riverside counties, have caused significant destruction but are nearing containment.

The National Weather Service is warning of dangerously hot conditions in Southern California, with temperatures reaching up to 105 degrees in some areas. The prolonged heat wave is expected to persist through mid-October, with little to no rain in the forecast.

The heat wave is not limited to California, as the Southwest is also experiencing record high temperatures. Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Death Valley are all enduring extreme heat, with temperatures well above normal for this time of year.

Meteorologists are warning of health risks associated with the excessive heat, advising residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

Overall, the warm and dry conditions are setting the stage for an unusually late fire season across the interior West, with fire weather concerns extending into parts of northwest California. Gusty offshore winds and high temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week, posing additional challenges for firefighting efforts and public health.