'Dangerous' Heat Wave Looms As NorCal Urged To Conserve Energy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Forecasters are anticipating the most "dangerous" heat wave of the year to strike the Bay Area through Tuesday. As temperatures rise, officials are warning residents to be aware potential of power outages and heat-related illnesses.

The California Independent System Operator issued a statewide Flex Alert for 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, along with recommendations for electricity conservation —

Before 4 p.m.:

• Pre-cool home by setting the thermostat to as low as 72 degrees
• Use major appliances, including: Washer and dryer, Dishwasher, Oven and stove for pre-cooking and preparing meals
• Charge electric vehicles
• Adjust blinds and drapes to cover windows

From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.:

• Set thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
• Avoid using major appliances and charging electric vehicles
• Turn off all unnecessary lights

"Restricted Maintenance Operations" have been issued through Tuesday from noon to 10 p.m. each day, Cal ISO said. If weather or grid conditions worsen, grid operators said they may issue a series of emergency notifications to access additional resources.

“When we hit these heat waves, we’re seeing more load on the system,” Severin Borenstein, a professor at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, and the faculty director of the Energy Institute at Haas, told KCRA. “We really are going to have a tight weekend due to the extreme heat and do need people to be cognizant of that.”

Over the long weekend, Californians will be asked to further reduce power usage from 4 to 9 p.m., when the grid is most stressed amid demand for electricity.

"Lowering electricity use during that time will ease strain on the system, and prevent more drastic measures, including rotating power outages," grid operators wrote in a statement.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is also asking customers to heed energy reduction requests issued by the grid operator.

“To reduce strain on the grid, we recommend that customers use their major appliances – washer, dryer dishwasher, oven and stove — use those earlier in the day because it's hot in the late afternoon,” Megan McFarland, a PG&E spokesperson told KCRA.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning from San Diego to Sacramento and has cautioned about the health risks associated with elevated temperatures.

Temperatures will begin climbing Wednesday at least a few degrees in most areas, with temperatures reaching the low 90s in the East Bay's interior.

For the holiday weekend, temperatures are expected to reach the 80s on the coast, the mid 80s to low 90s around the bay and the 100s in most inland areas.

Forecasters urge the public to take these precautions beginning Thursday:

• Avoid being outdoors during the day
• Stay hydrated and in a cool place
• Use air conditioning if available
• Cancel outdoor activities during the hottest period of the day

"Dangerous heat is expected later this week through the Labor Day Weekend. There's an increasing risk for heat-related illness with a high HeatRisk. Plan ahead for adequate cooling and hydration especially if you have outdoor plans," weather service officials tweeted on Wednesday.

Although grid operators are urging residents to reduce energy usage, weather service officials warn that in many areas, fans will not be adequate to keep cool.

"The combination of hot daytime temps and warm overnight lows over several days will lead to very high risk of heat-related illness for all populations," NWS officials said. "Fans will not provide adequate cooling, so use Air Conditioning or seek A/C at a public location or local cooling shelter."

Weather officials expect this heat wave to be "exceptionally dangerous" due to extreme afternoon highs and "oppressive" overnight lows.

Residents are urged to keep tabs on vulnerable family members, neighbors and friends. Newborns, pregnant people, children, elderly residents and those with chronic illnesses are especially at risk, officials said.

"Everyone is at risk from the dangers of extreme heat, but these groups are more vulnerable than most," NWS officials said. "Age and certain conditions make the body less able to regulate temperature."

Residents are also urged to protect their pets.

The Kennel Club has advised that dogs should not be walked on pavement during extreme heat because it can burn their paws.

The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too painful for your hand, then it’s too painful for your dog’s paws, the Kennel Club said.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reminded residents to never leave pets inside a locked vehicle, even for short periods of time, since the interior of a vehicle parked in the heat can quickly turn deadly.

Bay City News contributed to this report.