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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - An extended late-summer heat wave will bake much of the region starting Wednesday and continuing into the weekend, with forecasters warning of severe conditions that will dramatically raise the risk of wildfires and heat-related illnesses.
"Now is the time to adjust any plans for strenuous outdoor activities in the valleys and mountains to the cooler morning hours or for another week," the National Weather Service advised. "If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials."
Forecasters said many valley and lower mountain areas will be at or above 100 degrees during the weather event, most notably the western San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, Santa Clarita Valley and Antelope Valley.
An extreme heat watch will be in place for most of the area beginning at midday Wednesday and continuing through Saturday evening.
Thursday and Friday are expected to be the hottest days of the heat wave, with triple-digit temperatures expected virtually everywhere away from the coast, and highs potentially reaching 106 to 109 in the western San Fernando Valley and Antelope Valley, according to the NWS.
Forecasters said the heat will combine with low humidity, some breezy conditions and "critically dry fuels away from the coast" to dramatically elevate wildfire danger.
"The highest risk areas will be the interior mountains and foothills of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as well as Santa Clarita Valley where a Fire Weather Watch is in effect," according to the NWS. "The Fire Weather Watch area covers areas that have been a climatologically notorious area for large plume-dominated fires in similar weather patterns to what is coming later this week."