Officials urge copious water as heat soars

LOS ANGELES — When bracing for 120 degrees, it’s all about the water.

Drinking it, splashing in it to stay cool, and drinking it some more. A lot more.

That’s what officials were urging and residents were planning Friday as a potentially record-shattering heat wave started enveloping the Southwest United States and threatened to bring temperatures of more than 120 degrees to parts of Arizona and California next week.

People in places like Palm Springs and Phoenix are used to seriously high temperatures, but 120 degrees becomes all the talk around the water cooler. And with the health dangers of heat and dehydration, that’s where authorities hope they keep coming back.

Teresa Flores in Phoenix said she will make sure her two sons and daughter stay hydrated.

“Water, water, water, water,” Flores said. “So even when they think they’re not thirsty, they’re drinking water.”

Strong high pressure building over Western states is bringing the hot onslaught.

Officials warned of excessive heat across southern portions of Arizona and Nevada, and throughout the 450-mile length of California’s Central Valley.

Almost the entire Golden State was predicted to simmer above normal temperatures, easing just short of the coast.

Las Vegas and nearby cities also are preparing for the first heat wave of the season with extra cooling stations. Tuesday’s high was expected to hit 115.

With the three-day outdoor Electric Daisy Carnival music festival kicking off Friday, organizers used social media to encourage attendees to stay hydrated. It was providing free water during the nighttime event, which has drawn more than 130,000 people in past years.