Heat pummels residents in SCV
Temperatures soared to 107 degrees in Saugus and Acton and to 109 in the Newhall Pass on Friday as a heat wave combined with winds and low humidity drove a fast-moving fire in Canyon Country and left those who ventured outside stunned at the temperature.
National Weather Service forecasters issued a wind advisory and noted a Red Flag warning was in effect for high fire danger through tonight, with gusty northwest to north winds in the Santa Clarita Valley, Ventura County mountains and Antelope Valley.
Winds were expected to gust up to 55 mph throughout the area, along with single-digit humidity readings as low as 2 percent to 7 percent.
“A Red Flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected,” forecasters said in a statement. “If ignition occurs, there could be rapid spread of wildfire that would lead to a threat to life and property.”
That’s exactly what happened Friday in Canyon Country, when a fire touched off in Sand Canyon moved up into tinder-dry hillsides along Highway 14, shutting down freeway lanes for hours and forcing evacuations up to Agua Dulce Canyon Road.
Temperatures could reach as high as 110 degrees in Southern California’s inland valleys as the heat wave continues through today, forecasters said.
“I had no idea it was going to 109/110 degrees,” said Christine Korenthal, who with others joined in a rally in support of law enforcement Friday outside the Santa Clarita
Valley Sheriff’s Station. “It’s pretty horrible.”
“I’ve lived here for 25 years so I’m used to it when it’s this time of year — not that you ever get used to it,” said Gene DeFelicis, who was also at the rally. “I can’t wait for it to pass.”
“We try not to let it keep us indoors,” he said of the heat, adding he and his wife like to hike.
Temperatures reached to 111 degrees Friday in Woodland Hills and 115 in Palm Springs.
An excessive heat warning will remain in effect through tonight in the Santa Clarita Valley, forecasters said late Friday. Highs were expected to reach 109 degrees today in the Santa Clarita Valley but ease off after that, with highs expected at 97 degrees Sunday and 95 on Monday and Tuesday.