A dangerous heat wave and high fire risk have hit California, with temperatures reaching up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings and advisories for much of the state, advising residents to take precautions against the extreme heat and potential fires.
In Northern California, a fire is burning south of Placerville in El Dorado County. The fire started as a structure fire on Moccasin Trail and has since grown in size. Crews are facing difficult conditions due to the heat while fighting the fires, with water tenders and engines taking turns going down and up Moccasin Trail due to its small size. A lot of hand crews are doing work by hand, and the fire is centered in a valley, with many resources focusing on it.
In the Bay Area, a heatwave is expected to bring triple digits to much of the region for several days. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an 'exceptionally dangerous situation' warning due to the heat, with temperatures ranging from the upper 90s to near 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This will result in 'major to extreme risk' of heat-related illnesses.
Several fires have already erupted across the region due to the heatwave, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for the North Bay interior, Santa Cruz mountains, Marin and Sonoma coastal ranges, and East Bay hills. A fire weather watch is also in effect from 9 a.m. Friday through 12 a.m. Monday for the interior Central Coast.
PG&E has implemented power shut-offs in several California counties due to high winds and dry conditions, leaving some communities without electricity during the heat wave.
Residents are advised to take precautions against the extreme heat, including staying hydrated, wearing light clothing, using air conditioning or visiting cooling centers, and never leaving kids or pets in the car. Signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea, weakness, confusion, and unconsciousness.
The NWS advises that this heatwave is a potentially deadly and historic event that could result in a significant number of heat-related fatalities if preparations are not taken seriously.
