High temperatures, low humidity increases fire danger in Los Angeles County

A heat advisory will go into effect today in large parts of Los Angeles County, accompanied by decreased humidity that will create elevated wildfire conditions away from the coast.

The advisory will remain in effect until at least 8 p.m. Thursday for a wide swath of inland areas, including the San Gabriel, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys and the western San Fernando Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

High temperatures in the valleys, lower mountains and far inland areas will range from 95 to 105 degrees, or about 4 to 8 degrees above normal.

Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 90 degrees all week in downtown Los Angeles and downtown Anaheim. Pasadena and Van Nuys are among areas that will reach the upper 90s, and the Antelope, Santa Clarita and western San Fernando Valley will see temperatures soar past 100 degrees.

The coastal areas will remain comfortable, with highs generally in the 70s.

No advisories are currently in effect for Orange County.

Little relief is on the horizon, with the high temperatures expected to continue through the weekend and into next week as well, according to current forecasts.

“The strong inversion, much warmer than normal sea surface temps and the warm atmosphere will also bring above normal overnight low temps to much of the area. Most coast/valley locations will only have lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s,” the NWS said.

The weather will produce widespread elevated fire weather, with “increased risk for large plume-dominated fire behavior,” according to the NWS.

“While winds aren’t expected to be of any widespread significance, the increasing northerly pressure gradient will allow for gusty north to northwest winds are likely each night across the interior mountains (especially the Grapevine),” forecasters added.

Health officials advised people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day and check up on relatives and neighbors.

The public was also urged to never leave children or pets in parked vehicles for even a minute, as temperatures inside vehicles can reach deadly levels in virtually no time.