An Extreme Heat Warning took effect Tuesday morning across Los Angeles and will last through 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, with downtown temperatures expected to hit 100 degrees and inland valleys like Santa Clarita forecast to reach 112.
The city has opened nine dedicated cooling centers with extended hours, all of which accept pets. The centers operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Friday.
Mayor Karen Bass urged Angelenos to "take this extreme heat seriously," according to the Los Angeles Times. Her office confirmed the Los Angeles Fire Department has predeployed resources citywide, including helicopters, engine task forces, brush patrols and additional personnel in anticipation of heat-related emergencies.
The LA County Fire Department said Monday it was augmenting staffing and pre-positioning personnel to ensure rapid wildfire response. A concurrent Red Flag Warning covers interior mountains and foothills of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties through 3 p.m. Friday, with forecasters warning of significant risk for rapid fire spread.
Where to cool off
The nine pet-friendly cooling centers span five areas of the city:
San Fernando Valley
- Canoga Park Senior Citizens' Center, 7326 Jordan Ave.
- North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 5301 Tujunga Ave.
- Sunland Senior Citizen Center, 8640 Fenwick St.
Near downtown
- Pecan Recreation Center, 145 S. Pecan St.
- Highland Park Adult Senior Citizen Center, 6152 N. Figueroa St.
- Lafayette Multipurpose Community Center, 625 S. Lafayette Park Place
South LA
- Algin Sutton Recreation Center, 8800 S. Hoover St.
Westside
- Pan Pacific Senior Activity Center, 141 S. Gardner Ave.
Harbor
- East Wilmington Greenbelt Community Center, 918 N. Sanford Ave., Wilmington
The mayor's office said hundreds of additional locations, including Recreation and Parks facilities and libraries, are also available. Residents without air conditioning can call 211 around the clock to find a cooling center nearby.
Why this heat wave is dangerous
National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford told LAist that a high-pressure system over the Southwest is trapping warm air and blocking cooler ocean breezes. "That blocks our natural air conditioning off the ocean from coming in as early as it normally does," Wofford said.
Nighttime temperatures are expected to stay in the 70s across most of Southern California, offering little recovery from daytime heat. In an Aug. 7 public health advisory issued during an earlier heat wave this summer, LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis noted that heat kills more Americans annually than floods, storms and lightning combined, with older adults, young children, outdoor workers and people with chronic conditions most at risk.
Grid strain and safety concerns
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power recommended residents set thermostats to 78 degrees when possible to reduce strain on the electrical grid. Southern California Edison was considering planned power shutoffs for about 5,700 customers due to heightened wildfire risk as of Monday night, with roughly 4,000 of those in LA County.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an ozone advisory for inland areas through Friday evening. Elevated surf and strong rip currents also pose an increased drowning risk at beaches; the county Fire Department urged beachgoers to exercise extreme caution.
Officials urged residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., check on vulnerable neighbors and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. Anyone experiencing symptoms of heat stroke, including dizziness, confusion or rapid heartbeat, should call 911 immediately.
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