Record-Shattering Heatwave Brings Critical Fire Danger To SoCal

LOS ANGELES, CA — Heat records across the Southland fell on Monday, and more are expected to shatter Tuesday and Wednesday as a prolonged heatwave keeps fall weather at bay and the risk of wildfire at critical levels.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning through Wednesday evening for the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Coachella valleys, where temperatures are expected to reach 108 degrees. Southwest Riverside County is expected to reach 101 degrees Tuesday while highs in inland Orange County are expected to hover in the low-to-mid 90s Tuesday and Wednesday as the heatwave peaks. High temperatures for San Diego County's inland valleys could get as high as 106 degrees, the weather service warned.

In the Western San Gabriel Mountains and Interstate 5 and 14 freeway corridors, temperatures are expected to hit 104 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The record-setting temperatures are expected to continue through Thursday before temperatures drop slightly Friday and heat up again over the weekend.

A red flag warning is in place due to critical fire danger across the Southland, which is still smoldering from a series of massive wildfires that broke out during last month's record-setting heatwave, according to CalFire. Soaring temperatures are expected to hinder firefighting efforts in the massive Line Fire burning near Big Bear.

On Monday, record high temperatures were reported in Lancaster, Palmdale and Sandberg. It was 100 in Lancaster on Monday, tying the record for the day set in 2001. It was 100 at Palmdale Airport, breaking the record for the day of 99 set in 1980. It was 91 in Sandberg, tying the record for the day set in 1980.

Less severe heat advisories will be in place from 11 a.m. Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday in the San Gabriel Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where temperatures will flirt with the triple-digit mark.

Although temperatures are expected to back off by Thursday, roughly falling 3 to 6 degrees, forecasters said there is a chance the threat of potentially dangerous heat could persist in some areas.

In areas under the threat of excessive heat, forecasters repeated their standard warning for people to be on the lookout for signs of heat illness, particularly in "the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning and those active outdoors."

City News Service contributed to this report.