Santa Ana winds continued battering parts of the Southland Wednesday, with temperatures expected to rise slightly above Tuesday's levels, when some heat records were shattered.
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A red flag warning of critical fire conditions will remain in effect until 6 p.m. in the western San Gabriel Mountains, as well as southeastern Ventura County valleys and the Santa Susana Mountains.
Forecasters said those areas could experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph, with humidity falling as low as 5%.
A heat advisory will be in effect through 7 p.m. for Los Angeles County beaches, the Malibu Coast, the Palos Verdes Hills, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys and the inland coastal area stretching to downtown Los Angeles, as well as the Orange County inland area.
According to the National Weather Service, Wednesday "should be a couple degrees warmer than Tuesday for most areas." Downtown Los Angeles reached 97 degrees on Tuesday, breaking the old record for that date of 94 degrees set in 1931. UCLA also set a record Tuesday by reaching 92 degrees, besting the previously mark of 89 degrees set in 2008, according to the NWS.
"Coastal and valley temps will again mostly be in the upper 80s and 90s or 10 to 15 locally up to 20 degrees above normal," NWS forecasters said.
Due to the fire danger presented by elevated temperatures and strong winds, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement the city's Office of Public Safety was coordinating with the Emergency Management Department, as well as the fire, police and recreation and parks departments, to ensure they are ready to respond as needed.
The city has hundreds of locations open for heat relief, such as recreation and parks facilities and local library branches. For locations and hours of operations, information is available at laparks.org/reccenter and lapl.org/branches.
Angelenos can also call 3-1-1 from within the city to learn more, as well as sign up to receive adverse weather alerts on their phones at NotifyLA.org.
"Our city departments remain prepared to keep Angelenos safe and to respond to any needs ahead of the expected high temperatures beginning (Tuesday). Especially as we cheer on the Dodgers, I encourage all residents to stay hydrated, check in on your neighbors, and take advantage of the resources available citywide to help keep you cool and safe," Bass said in a statement.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger had a similar message, noting that emergency response officials were closely tracking the incoming Santa Ana wind and heat event. Beginning Monday night, the county's Emergency Operations Center was activated to monitor conditions and coordinate resources in real time as well.
"I've been briefed by our emergency management officials and I want to reassure the public that we are ready to respond as needed," Barger said in a statement. "When you live in a wildfire-prone area or not, I encourage all residents to stay vigilant."
"High winds and warm temperatures can create rapidly changing conditions, so please secure outdoor items, avoid any activities that could spark a fire, and check on neighbors who may be vulnerable and need help. Staying alert and prepared helps keep all of us safe," Barger added.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday the Governor's Office of Emergency Service had approved the pre-deployment of 10 fire engines, three water tenders, three helicopters, three hand crews and three dispatchers with 107 support personnel in anticipation of potential wildfires from the gusting winds and low humidity.
"Cal Fire also remains at peak staffing at all units within the impacted region and has full use of both state-owned air assets and exclusive use aircraft to rapidly attack any new fires that may start," according to a statement from the governor's office.
Santa Ana conditions are expected to weaken later in the week, with temperatures falling slightly on Thursday and "noticeably cooler" conditions on Friday, although still slightly above normal in some inland areas.
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