An unrelenting heat wave has engulfed Southern California this week with temperatures in some areas reaching record highs on Friday, triggering excessive heat warnings and health alerts.
An excessive heat warning has been extended for a large portion of southwest California through Monday evening. The National Weather Service Los Angeles warned "another very hot day" on Friday across portions of the region.
"A long duration heat wave will peak today, with only minor and slow improvement after through Monday," said the agency, noting that near record high temperatures will peak on Friday with highs between 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius) and 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius) common over the valleys, lower mountains and deserts.
"A very hot air mass will remain over the region into the weekend as strong high pressure aloft over the Western United States will limit onshore flow. Dangerously hot conditions are expected away from the coast, especially in the mountain and foothill locations where overnight low temperatures will cool little from daytime highs," the weather service added.
The thermometer screen at the Cavalry Church displays the temperature in Woodland Hills, California, U.S., September 5, 2024. /CFP
The soaring temperature reportedly reached 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) in Burbank on Friday, an all-time record high temperature for the Southern California city.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pointed out that this is "critical fire weather due to hot, dry daytime conditions and poor humidity overnight." A red flag warning is in effect for parts of Southern California through Saturday.
Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire in San Bernardino County, where it has grown to 1,180 acres (about 4.8 square kilometers) in the past 24 hours amid high temperatures.
Public health officials across the region have reminded residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, particularly older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, athletes, and those with chronic medical conditions who are at higher risk of health impacts from extreme heat.
"Protect yourself and others during excessive heat," said the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on social media platform X.
A construction worker takes a quick break to wipe his head while digging a trench amidst a heat wave in Irvine, California, U.S., September 5, 2024. /CFP
The department urged people to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, avoid going out during the hottest hours, and be aware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Heat can be deadly and it often catches people by surprise," said Christina Curry, chief deputy director of the California governor's office of emergency services, in a news release, adding that "it's important for all Californians to do their part and take steps to stay safe in dangerously hot conditions."
The agency said it is coordinating with local governments and emergency managers on any regional needs.
According to a recent report from California's insurance department cited by KTLA, a Los Angeles television station, seven extreme heat events between 2013 and 2022 resulted in nearly 460 deaths, 5,000 hospitalizations and 344 adverse birth outcomes, impacting nearly the entire population of California.
The cumulative cost of these heat events is estimated at $7.7 billion in California. This includes labor productivity losses ranging from $7.7 million to $210 million per event, often due to uninsured wage losses, according to the report.