Brutal heat wave scorches Southern California, triggering health alerts

By Xinhua Published: Sep 08, 2024 11:32 AM

This photo taken on Sept. 7, 2024 shows a wildfire in San Bernardino County, California, the United States. An unrelenting heat wave has engulfed Southern California this week with temperatures in some areas reaching record highs on Friday. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire in high temperatures in San Bernardino County, which grew to 1180 acres (about 4.8 square km) with 24 hours. Photo: Xinhua

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 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 high temperatures in San Bernardino County, which grew to 1180 acres (about 4.8 square km) with 24 hours.

Public health officials across the region have reminded residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, athletes, and those with a chronic medical condition who are more at risk for negative 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.

The department urged people to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated throughout the day, avoid going out during the hottest hours, and be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness like heat exhaustion and heat stroke in its suggestions.

"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.

Seven extreme heat events between 2013 and 2022 resulted in nearly 460 deaths, 5,000 hospitalizations, and 344 adverse birth outcomes, affecting nearly the entire population of California, reported KTLA, a television station in Los Angeles, citing a recent report from California's insurance department.

The cumulative cost of these heat events is estimated at $7.7 billion in California, which includes labor productivity losses ranging from 7.7 million dollars to 210 million dollars per heat event, often through uninsured wage losses, said the report.

A firefighter works at the site of a wildfire in San Bernardino County, California, the United States, Sept. 7, 2024. An unrelenting heat wave has engulfed Southern California this week with temperatures in some areas reaching record highs on Friday. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire in high temperatures in San Bernardino County, which grew to 1180 acres (about 4.8 square km) with 24 hours. Photo: Xinhua

Firefighters work near the site of a wildfire in San Bernardino County, California, the United States, Sept. 7, 2024. An unrelenting heat wave has engulfed Southern California this week with temperatures in some areas reaching record highs on Friday. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire in high temperatures in San Bernardino County, which grew to 1180 acres (about 4.8 square km) with 24 hours. Photo: Xinhua