California faces a long, hot holiday week as temperatures climb well above normal day after day, increasing health risks and threat of wildfires.
Locally, highs could reach 15 degrees above normal inland, possibly hitting triple digits from Ojai to Simi Valley late this week. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings in effect through Monday except in coastal areas.
The hottest days are expected to be Friday and Saturday, said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the agency's Oxnard office. But the forecast calls for conditions to stay warm into early next week, he said.
The state's hardest hit regions could include the Southern California deserts, the Central Valley and farther north, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA. But even locally, some spots could see multiple days of triple digit temperatures.
“This is going to be a severe, prolonged, potentially record-breaking heat wave that may have large impacts for much of California,” said Swain, speaking in a live briefing via YouTube on Monday.
In Ventura County, hot spots include Lake Casitas, the Ojai Valley, Fillmore, Piru, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and the Santa Monica Mountains, local officials said.
How hot will it be in Ventura County?
Along the coast, temperatures could stay closer to the high 70s and low 80s. The forecast calls for highs to reach the mid-80s in Camarillo and the mid-90s in Moorpark and Santa Paula.
Thousand Oaks could see temperatures in the high 90s later this week and highs in Simi Valley, Ojai, Fillmore and Piru could top 100 degrees, according to the weather service. Early next week, highs could stay in the high 90s in some spots.
Authorities cautioned that the hot, dry conditions also will raise the risk of wildfires.
How will the heat affect wildfires?
Two wet winters helped lower the threat of large, out-of-control wildfires. So far, moisture levels in the brush have stayed above the critically dry levels and even the historic average locally. But a string of hot days could change that, said Chief Dustin Gardner of the Ventura County Fire Department.
Once those levels reach closer to the critical mark, fires become more difficult to suppress, he said.
"We’re right on the cusp," Gardner said.
The rain also lead to a bumper crop of grass, which has dried out. Crews have responded to several smaller blazes over the past several days. The county fire department has increased its standard response to vegetation fires with the goal of keeping 95% under 10 acres.
The Los Padres National Forest also recently upped its fire restrictions.
Tips for the heat wave
Experts recommend people prepare for hot days and be aware and respect the heat. Tips for cooling off include:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Limit time outdoors and to pace yourself, particularly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing in light colors.
- Don't leave any people or pets locked in vehicles.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
For information about local cooling centers, visit vcemergency.com. For more hot weather tips, visit cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.
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