Wildfire risk high as heatwave sets in for July Fourth weekend

Scorching heat and increased wildfire risk will grip Southern California through the July 4 weekend and into early next week, with temperatures expected to surpass 115 degrees Fahrenheit in desert areas on Friday and forecasters issuing heat warnings and watches across the region.

Extreme temperatures and gusty winds combined with dry weather will also lead to a high risk of new wildfires across the state as the Thompson Fire continues to burn, burning more than 3,500 acres north of Sacramento.

“It’s going to be an absolute scorcher tomorrow,” Joe Szilard, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Oxnard, said Thursday morning. “This is not your typical heat wave. This is a dangerous heat wave. This is a high-end heat wave. Very dangerous.”

Heat warnings were issued Thursday for much of Los Angeles County’s valleys and deserts, as well as the Santa Monica Mountains.

As temperatures in Palmdale climbed into the triple digits over the holiday season, construction workers were hard at work on a sidewalk improvement site.

(Brian Vanderbrugge / Los Angeles Times)

According to the National Weather Service, highs on July 4 are expected to reach 106 degrees in the valley, 103 degrees in the low mountains and 111 degrees in the desert. On Friday, temperatures in the county’s valleys and mountains are expected to soar to 110 to 112 degrees, and in the desert to 112 to 118 degrees. The only areas of the county not experiencing extreme heat are coastal communities, Szilard said.

Officials advised Southern Californians to take precautions to avoid exposure to high temperatures, which can increase the risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The National Weather Service urged people to stay in air-conditioned areas during the day and evening, stay hydrated, take care of neighbors and the elderly, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

“It’s just too hot,” Szilard said. “Just use common sense. This is a dangerous heat wave, and that’s why we have a heat advisory.”

Jacque McDonald, 39, drove to Hermosa Beach from her home in Tarzana with her husband and two young children Thursday morning to escape the San Fernando Valley heat.

“We only came here because we knew it was going to be hot. I didn’t think so,” MacDonald said as people in bathing suits and sunglasses strolled along the Strand as clouds gathered and the temperature dropped. “We have a pool in our neighborhood, but we thought it would be crowded. So we planned to come to the beach here.”

Annie Seawright is carried by a crowd in celebration after winning the Hermosa Beach Triathlon on July 4.

(Michael Blackshear/Los Angeles Times)

Just before noon, dozens of tourists were making their way slowly along the dirt road of Eaton Canyon Natural Area, a popular Los Angeles County park in Altadena that features a creek and a waterfall.

When the trail first crossed the water, Mercedes Monje, 29, of Los Angeles, sat on the shore with her partner and 2-year-old son playing in the water while the rest of her family sat nearby.
Monye said her family usually spends the Fourth of July at the beach or the river.

They had planned to head to the East Fork of the San Gabriel River on Thursday, but when they arrived around 8 a.m., authorities told them the fork was full.

“We’re a little disappointed that we didn’t get to where we planned to go, but we’re trying to do our best,” Monye said.

Meanwhile, the risk of wildfires is high in inland areas, where even small fires can quickly become large blazes under extreme conditions.

“The temperatures are expected to be high today, which will increase the potential for fire spread,” said David Acuna, battalion chief of the California Department of Fire. Fire departments across California urged people to resist the temptation to set off fireworks during July 4 celebrations because it could start new fires.

Acuna said the Thompson Fire was only 7% contained in Butte County as of Thursday morning, but the burnt area stabilized at 3,568 acres last night. He said a total of 1,962 personnel, 20 helicopters, 214 engines, 46 bulldozers, 43 water tankers and 37 firefighters were involved in the fire. At the peak of the fire, about 12,000 buildings were evacuated and the number of people affected was about 28,000.

“Frontline firefighters will continue to stay hydrated and be prepared if the fire grows,” Acuna said. He also said that although some fire levels had been downgraded, there were still “some fire evacuations and warnings” near the fire site on Thursday.

In Simi Valley, the Sharp Fire was contained to 133 acres, with containment updated Thursday morning from 15% to 60%, according to Andy VanSciver, spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.

As temperatures in Palmdale climbed into the triple digits, Airn Barnes was playing by the cool fountain at Courson Park Pool.

(Brian Vanderbrugge / Los Angeles Times)

The fire, which did not damage any structures, forced the evacuation of 60 nearby homes and issued evacuation warnings for another 340. Those orders and warnings were lifted Wednesday evening, Van Sifer said.

“The fire lines have been stable and are being reinforced,” he said, adding that he did not expect winds to cause the fire to spread. “We have enough resources on hand to deal with it.”