A late-summer heat wave expected to last into the weekend intensified Thursday, with triple-digit temperatures common across many valley and desert areas, lifting concerns about possible wildfires.
Temperatures began rising in the area Wednesday but rose again Thursday, which was expected to be the hottest day of the heat wave, although similar conditions are anticipated Friday.
An extreme heat warning will be in place until 9 p.m. Saturday for most of the area, including the inland coastal area that includes downtown Los Angeles, where temperatures could reach as high as 98 degrees. Other valley and mountain areas could see highs reaching 110 degrees during the warning period, according to the National Weather Service.
A red flag warning of critical fire danger took effect at 9 a.m. Wednesday and will remain in place through 9 p.m. Saturday in the Santa Clarita Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, Antelope Valley foothills and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors. Those areas are expected to face “unseasonably hot high temperatures, generally 95-110 degrees and highest Thursday through Saturday,” combined with humidity levels as low as 8%, according to the NWS.
Some cooling is expected on Saturday, although temperatures will still remain 5-10 degrees above normal.
“In fact, models continue to indicate very little change in temperatures between Saturday and Sunday so there’s a greater than 50% chance that many, if not all, the heat hazards will be extended into Sunday,” according to the NWS.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it is monitoring the forecast and making necessary preparations to meet emergency demands during the heat wave. LAFD added Crew 4, which is a team made up of 26 specially trained personnel who will respond to wildfires within and around the city.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state had pre-deployed firefighting resources to Los Angeles County — totaling 10 fire engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers, one helicopter, two hand crews, thee dispatchers and one Incident Management Team.
Mayor Karen Bass directed city personnel throughout Los Angeles to take all necessary steps to combat the conditions that will accompany the heat wave.
“Ahead of expected high temperatures later this week, city departments are taking action to keep Angelenos safe,” Bass said in a statement. “I encourage Angelenos to stay cool, stay hydrated, check on neighbors, and know that resources are available citywide to help keep you safe.”
According to a statement from the mayor’s office, a coordinated effort to manage any heat emergencies was underway. “The Mayor’s Office of Public Safety, Emergency Management Department, LAFD, LAPD, Recreation and Parks, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and other city departments (are taking steps) to ensure all are ready to respond as needed,” according to Bass’ office.
Thursday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, with record temperatures possible in downtown Los Angeles, while Woodland Hills could hit 109 degrees, according to the NWS.
“Now is the time to adjust any plans for strenuous outdoor activities in the valleys and mountains to the cooler morning hours or for another week,” forecasters said in a statement. “If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials.”
“The combination of warm overnight lows and these daytime highs will result in dangerous heat condition across much of the area,” forecasters said.
Los Angeles has opened augmented cooling centers throughout the city and hundreds of locations for relief from the heat.
For locations and hours of operation, visit laparks.org/reccenter and lapl.org/branches.
The city is also opening the additional cooling centers that are accessible to people with disabilities and will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the days listed below:
From Wednesday through Saturday:
— Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center, 7326 Jordan Ave.; and
— North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 5301 Tujunga Ave.
From Thursday through Friday:
— Pecan Recreation Center, 145 S. Pecan St., Los Angeles; and
— Algin Sutton Recreation Center, 8800 S. Hoover St., Los Angeles.