Extreme-heat warning issued; officials concerned about fires, power outages

The National Weather Service on Thursday issued an extreme-heat warning for local valley and mountain areas, warning of high temperatures and humidity.

The heat warning -- which covers inland areas of Ventura, L.A. and Orange counties -- begins Thursday morning and could extend at least through Saturday afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to top 100 degrees.

Local utilities also urged residents Thursday to conserve energy, because the hot temperatures are putting pressure on the power grid.

The soaring temperatures, expected to range from five to 10 degrees above normal, are the result of a high-pressure ridge building over the Southwest, the weather service said.

On Tuesday, brush fires briefly threatened homes in Walnut and Camarillo and scorched at least 3,000 acres at Camp Pendleton. The onset of warmer weather will continue to dry up grasses and brush on parched Southern California hillsides, fire officials said Wednesday.

"With the increase of heat, there's always an increase in fire danger," said Inspector Don Kunitomi of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

He and other experts noted that additional factors — including wind, humidity and fuel moisture — can cause dry brush to ignite and flames to spread. "That makes it easier for the fire to take off," said Capt. Ron Oatman of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Both county fire agencies attributed aggressive fire attacks and vigilant brush clearance by residents with helping crews beat back the blazes in Walnut and Camarillo.

Temperatures Wednesday reached 94 degrees in the downtown Los Angeles area, 95 degrees in Fullerton, 101 degrees in Pomona, 103 degrees in Riverside and 104 degrees in Lancaster, according to the weather service. Along the coast, the Santa Monica Pier recorded a comfortable 72 degrees. In Ventura County, temperatures ranged from 75 degrees at Point Mugu to 101 degrees in Ojai.

The hot weather prompted L.A. County heath officials Wednesday to warn people in Lancaster and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys about prolonged exposure to the sun.

"When temperatures are high, prolonged sun exposure may cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke," said Jonathan E. Fielding, director of the county Department of Public Health. "Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in vehicles, even with the windows cracked or opened."

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[vxpatel]

everytime you walk by a store with a door open and A/C blasting...shut it!

Only big stupid companies would think it's ok to air condition the environment!

[lynn]

People!!! REMEMBER YOUR PETS on hot days!! Don't leave them in the car EVER and keep plenty of water for them if they are outside!!!! PLEASE!

[Aine]

SoCal, welcome to my world except I have no a.c.

L.A. girl traveling around Central Europe in a heat wave

[Mark]

Wasn't just last week we were bemoaning the extended June gloom?

[Pancho Villa]

I will be in Palm Desert, CA for a very inexpensive golf tournament this weekend....I know, its crazy.