During the wildfire season in California, wildfires have erupted in various parts of Southern California. Adding to the misery, local temperatures continue to rise, with a forecast of an extreme heatwave starting from August 6th, Wednesday, being the hottest period of the summer.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) prediction, temperatures in Southern California will be above normal starting from Wednesday. The temperatures are expected to sharply rise, reaching up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal levels, with areas like Antelope Valley possibly experiencing triple-digit temperatures.
The forecast indicates that Thursday will be the hottest day, with valley areas reaching temperatures of 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 37 to 40 degrees Celsius); desert areas reaching temperatures of 104 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit (about 40 to 41 degrees Celsius); and downtown Los Angeles near the coast expected to maintain temperatures around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32 degrees Celsius).
The National Weather Service warns that this heatwave is caused by a high-pressure system, and the high temperatures coupled with widespread strong winds will elevate the risk of wildfires: the vegetation will be extremely dry, making it prone to ignition.
From Wednesday at 10:00 am to Friday at 8:00 pm, areas including San Bernardino County, Riverside County valleys, and the Inland Empire may experience temperatures ranging from 97 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (about 36 to 40.6 degrees Celsius). The National Weather Service advises people to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned rooms, and avoid direct sunlight.
Many people have yet to recover from the Los Angeles wildfires in January, and wildfires in California have erupted once again.
Last Friday afternoon, a wildfire named “Gifford” broke out in Central California, quickly spiraling out of control within a few hours. As of Monday evening, the wildfire had destroyed over 72,000 acres of land with a containment rate of 3%.
The starting point of the Gifford wildfire is mainly concentrated in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. With the extreme high temperatures approaching, fire departments are concerned that firefighting efforts will become even more challenging.
The US Forest Service stated that the wildfire forced officials to close sections of State Route 166, putting around 460 buildings in the vicinity at risk. Residents in some areas along Route 166 have received evacuation orders. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The National Weather Service points out that the Gifford wildfire continues to generate a large amount of smoke, affecting air quality in areas like Los Angeles and Ventura County, posing a threat to public health.
Currently, over a thousand firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish the Gifford wildfire. Due to the impact of high temperatures, the National Weather Service has issued a fire risk alert for Santa Barbara County, with the warning period from August 6th to the 9th.
On Monday afternoon at 1:00 pm, the “Rosa Fire” erupted in Riverside County, burning nearly 1,200 acres of land in less than four hours.
More than 150 firefighters have been dispatched to combat the blaze, but as of 6:00 pm, the containment rate remains at 0%. Many communities in the area have been asked to evacuate urgently, with some communities receiving evacuation warnings.
Just 20 minutes before the “Rosa Fire” began burning, the “Gold Fire” erupted in San Bernardino County. According to Cal Fire, the “Gold Fire” is burning in the treacherous terrain on the northern edge of the Mountain Top Lookout area, close to the desert’s edge. The fire is spreading at a moderate rate, with sporadic small fires, making the situation more complex.
Officials stated that due to the challenging terrain, access to the area is restricted, making it even more difficult to control the blaze. Firefighters are actively engaged in firefighting efforts. As of 4:38 pm, the “Gold Fire” has burned 348 acres of land, with a containment rate of 0%.