One unusually warm autumn heat wave Temperatures continue to rise across California, increasing fire danger across the state and forcing power outages in the north and additional wildfire evacuations in the south.
Heat advisories have been issued across the state, from San Diego to Redding, with multiple triple-digit temperature warnings issued this week, with most areas at least 10 to 20 degrees above average for this time of year, according to the National Expected to stay. Weather Service.
While fire season in California typically runs through October or November, this kind of heat is unusual for the weather, causing the landscape to dry out and humidity levels to drop, allowing officials to more easily control the growth of wildfires. More rapid growth is expected.
As soon as Monday morning the effect of heat became clearly visible Pacific Gas & Electric is acting on warnings It would cut off power to residents experiencing dangerous fire weather, especially “high winds and dry conditions.”
Power was shut off to about 9,500 customers in Butte, Shasta and parts of Glenn, Colusa and Tehama counties as of Monday morning, PG&E spokesman Paul Doherty said, adding that more shutoffs are possible in Northern California, a The decision will be “based on real-time weather conditions.”
A total of 12,371 customers in 11 counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Sonoma and Trinity counties and two tribal areas, could be affected by the outage, which is possible through Tuesday evening, Doherty said. The shutoff is intended to reduce fires occurring during high-risk weather, especially after several deadly and destructive fires in recent years. initiated by utility equipment,
As temperatures began to rise in Southern California on Sunday, officials ordered Additional Withdrawals and Warnings The fire broke out on the line in San Bernardino County – which has been burning for nearly a month. The 43,000-acre blaze is still 80% contained, but rising heat in the area this weekend caused the blaze to grow further, exceeding firefighters’ expectations, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire. Wrote in Monday’s update,
“Dry vegetation, steep slopes and wind created conditions for the fire to spread rapidly yesterday,” Cal Fire officials said.
Nearby, the Bridge Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains is 97% contained, according to Cal Fire, which burned about 55,000 acres in both San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, including more than 80 buildings. Were also included. The Airport Fire was 95% contained in Orange and Riverside counties, after destroying 160 structures and scorching approximately 23,500 acres of land.
Throughout Southern California, the National Weather Service is warning of “dangerously hot conditions” from Tuesday through Thursday, with high temperatures up to 105 degrees in many areas, including the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley foothills and the Interstate 5 corridor. will reach. Told to keep an eye on the extreme heat of the area.
Brian Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said these conditions, especially in the mountains, can help fuel “pume-dominated fires,” characterized by high plumes of smoke that become exceptionally hot. Due to which the fire can grow irregularly.
“California looks to be warmer than average in the near future, with little or no chance of precipitation anywhere else,” said UCLA climatologist Daniel Swain. A recent online briefing. National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center Above average temperatures are expected Will continue through at least mid-October in California, including much of the West is expected to remain Hot all month.
As this summer-like heat wave spreads across the Southwest, Phoenix is already enduring Record high for almost a week The daily temperature reached 113 degrees on Sunday. Some daily temperature records were also set in Las Vegas and the surrounding area. this past weekendThe maximum temperature in Death Valley is expected to reach 115 degrees in the next few days.
“Another unseasonably warm day is on the way as temperatures remain 10-15 degrees above normal,” the National Weather Service office in Las Vegas said. Tweeted on Monday“Stay cool and hydrated out there.”
swan, on x, It’s being called an “exceptionally hot and dry pattern” that will likely bring rare, late-season heat to the interior that could set temperature records in parts of California, continue to fuel dangerous fires and threaten the state’s climate. May delay rainy season.
“The warm and dry autumn that has begun and is likely to continue in the coming weeks will set the stage for an unusually late fire season in the Interior West,” he said.
As of Tuesday, parts of Del Norte and Humboldt counties in northwestern California are under red flag warning, indicating severe fire weather, with strong winds raising fire concerns.
Strong offshore winds over the next few days could be a concern along much of the California coast this week, especially given the high temperatures. National Weather Service warned,
In addition to fire dangers, meteorologists are also warning of the health risks that come with extreme heat. The National Weather Service in the Bay Area is warning of temperatures that could cause heat illness as high as 104 degrees in the mountains and valleys of the North Bay and East Bay from Monday through Wednesday.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check in with relatives and neighbors.” Heat advisory states. “Children and pets should not be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”
Temperatures are also expected to rise in most parts of the Central Valley reach or exceed 100 degrees This week, temperatures are expected to reach near monthly record highs in the San Joaquin Valley and some areas of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
