The U.S. Weather Service issued a “red flag warning” for rural areas around Los Angeles on Thursday, September 5, where heat and low humidity in the air are creating a cocktail conducive to the rapid spread of wildfires.
The mercury continued to reach dangerous levels on Thursday, September 4 in California and the southwestern United States, with no sign of a lull in the weather for several days, according to the weather service. The excessive heat warning has been extended for the coming weekend, while the risk of wildfires has also increased.
“Exercise extreme caution”
“All warnings are on for what will be a period of dangerously hot weather through the weekend and continuing into next week in some areas,” the National Weather Service (NWS) warned.
“Do not undertake any hiking or other physical activity except very early in the day, and even then, exercise extreme caution and stay well hydrated,” they advised.
Thermometers in and around Los Angeles continue to show scorching temperatures, reaching 48 degrees Celsius in some places.
And the night offers little respite, with temperatures never dropping below 32°C.
Heatwaves in the largely desert southwest of the United States are not uncommon at this time of year. But scientists say repeated heatwaves are a clear indicator of global warming, and these heat waves are likely to become more frequent, longer and more intense.
