California Faces Intense Heat Wave, Power Shutoffs

California’s longest predicted heat wave of the year is set to hit the state this week, causing warnings about likely power shutoffs, reports Grace Toohey for the Los Angeles Times. “The heat wave is expected to bring dangerous temperatures through the Fourth of July holiday and into early next week in many areas, particularly across Northern California, the Central Valley and southwestern deserts,” according to Antoinette Serrato, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

Communities in the inland valleys and mountains of Southern California are expected to see temperatures as high as 110, with highs reaching 119 in the low desert regions. The heat dome is not expected to let up for 8 or 9 days, according to climate scientists.

“Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the state’s largest utility, announced that power cuts were likely for Tuesday and Wednesday in some Northern California counties, “due to high winds and dry conditions,” part of its safety shutoff program that aims to reduce the chance for accidental fire ignitions.” The state’s Office of Emergency Services is stationing fire personnel across the state in preparation to respond to fire incidents.

According to Toohey, “This kind of extended, extreme heat will affect everyone, including vulnerable populations such as babies, the elderly and pregnant people, said Serrato, who urged residents to take precautions and seek out cooling centers set up across the state if necessary.”