The heat wave baking the Southland went into a third day Saturday, prolonging an elevated danger of wildfire and hazardous health conditions for residents.
The National Weather Service continued to warn of hot, very dry conditions with humidity levels in the single digits, and strong gusty winds, but no red flag warnings were issued.
“Dangerously hot conditions are possible, especially away from the coast, Thursday through Saturday as strong high pressure builds over the region. The hottest day is expected to be Friday, when many valley locations will see temperatures above 100 degrees,” according to the NWS. The agency advised residents to restrict outdoor activities to early morning or evening hours, wear loose, lightweight clothing of light colors, and drink plenty of fluids other than coffee or alcohol.
A heat alert was in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday for the east San Fernando and east San Gabriel valleys.
On Saturday afternoon, Los Angeles County’s health officer extended the heat alert through Sunday for the west San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, and through Monday for the Antelope Valley.
Firefighters continued to battle high temperatures in the Angeles National Forest, where the Dam Fire was 65% contained after burning 220 acres.
In West Hills, a 23-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital with critical heat-related injuries suffered while hiking shortly after 11 a.m.
Air quality was unhealthy Saturday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the East San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains, officials said.
Saturday’s high reached 92 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, 95 in Pasadena, 97 in Woodland Hills, 103 in Palmdale and 104 in Lancaster.
Temperatures were expected to decrease slightly Sunday before gradually returning to normal this week.