Southern California is boiling under an unprecedented heatwave, with massive wildfires breaking out in various areas. On the 5th, some parts of the San Fernando Valley saw temperatures rise as high as 115°F, as the heatwave hit its peak. The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted that this heat will continue through the weekend, prompting health authorities to issue warnings, especially for children and the elderly, to be cautious of heat-related illnesses.

According to the NWS, on the 5th, the maximum daytime temperature in the greater Los Angeles area reached 115°F in Woodland Hills, 108°F in Valencia, and 106°F in Burbank, with several other areas exceeding 100°F. Even downtown LA hit 100°F.

Inland areas like Riverside suffered from the heat as well, recording 111°F, while beachside cities like Santa Monica saw temperatures rise to 91°F, leaving all of Southern California sweltering under the intense heat.

Though high temperatures in September are common, NWS officials noted that such a prolonged heatwave is somewhat unusual. They predicted that temperatures across Southern California would rise an additional 2-3°F on Friday, the 6th, with the scorching heat continuing into the weekend. As if the heat wasn’t enough, large wildfires have been spreading throughout the region, compounding the crisis. In Riverside County alone, three fires broke out, while major wildfires in Northern and Central California have been burning for a month, leaving many areas in ashes.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), a wildfire broke out on the afternoon of the 4th around 4 p.m. in the Good Hope area of Riverside County, burning a total of 130 acres so far. Due to the rapid spread, evacuation orders were issued for nearby residents.

Earlier, on the 1st of September, the "Record" fire in the San Jacinto Mountain region of Riverside County burned a total of 517 acres. Other fires include the "Chapman" fire in the Anza area of Riverside on the 4th, and the "Vichota" fire that started in the Angeles National Forest on August 31st, all of which continue to burn.

In Northern California, the "Bear" fire, which started in Sierra Brooks in Sierra County on September 2nd, had grown to 3,327 acres by the 5th, becoming a major wildfire. As of that day, the fire had 0% containment. Fire officials explained that the steep, rocky mountains in Northern California make it difficult for fire crews to access certain areas, slowing containment efforts. The Bear fire also caused power lines to burn, cutting off electricity to about 750 households.

In Central California, the "Coffee Pot" fire in Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County (12,915 acres) has been burning since August 3rd, and the "Boone" fire in Fresno County’s Coalinga area (16,948 acres) has been burning since September 3rd. Both fires have been ongoing for nearly a month, with daily temperatures over 100°F hampering firefighting efforts.

By Reporter Hyungseok Han

<Hyungseok Han>