LOS ANGELES – Southern California is facing a brutal combination of extreme summer weather hazards this week.
Widespread triple-digit heat, active wildfires in Los Angeles County, coastal flood threats from king tides, and health warnings at major local beaches are keeping emergency crews and public officials on high alert.
What we know:
An extreme heat warning is in effect through Thursday evening for much of Los Angeles and inland Orange counties, with temperatures forecast to climb up to 110 degrees in valley areas, according to the National Weather Service. High humidity fueled by lingering monsoonal moisture will make conditions feel even hotter.
Along the coast, where residents are fleeing to find cooler air, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued ocean water warnings for seven popular locations—including the Santa Monica Pier, Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, and Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro—due to bacteria levels exceeding state safety standards
Meanwhile, emergency personnel are managing two active brush fires. The Zebra Fire in Azusa has burned 25 acres near Highway 39 and is burning in extremely steep terrain with 0% containment reported. The Summit Fire in the Antelope Valley has burned 2,690 acres and is now 47% contained, having destroyed two structures and damaged seven others.
Crews battling two fires in Southern California
Firefighters are managing multiple blazes in Southern California this Tuesday. In Azusa, a 25-acre brush fire is being contained with zero reported injuries or structural damage. Meanwhile, near Llano, crews have reached 47% containment on the much larger Summit Fire, which has burned 2,690 acres.
Along the coast, high king tides reaching up to seven and a half feet have raised coastal flooding concerns in low-lying communities like the Long Beach Peninsula, forcing municipal crews to build massive sand berms to protect beachfront properties.
What we don’t know:
The cause of the Zebra Fire near Azusa remains under investigation.
While the progression of the Summit Fire has been halted at 2,690 acres, officials do not yet know if the threat of winds or dry lightning from potential afternoon thunderstorms will trigger unpredictable flare-ups.
What they’re saying:
“Big temperature rises are expected to begin Tuesday, then peaking Wednesday with valley temps 100-110 and mid 90s across the interior portions of the coastal plain,” the NWS warned.
Regarding the Zebra Fire, Angeles National Forest officials reported “there is no current threat to structures.”
In Long Beach, a longtime resident pointed out the worsening coastal erosion.
“30 years ago, this beach was way out there, a long, long way out, probably about 30 meters further out, so it’s corroding all the time, and it’s like senseless because they have the bulldozers and the tractors, they’re coming all the time.”
Another local resident noted the recent defenses.
“They didn’t have these rocks. They just put it at the beginning of the year because it’s really eroding really bad. Lifeguards will put all the sandbags out there. It’s come up pretty high.”
What’s next:
Temperatures are expected to gradually ease heading into the weekend as onshore flow strengthens and cloud cover increases, though conditions will remain above normal through Friday.
Fire crews on the Summit Fire will focus on maintaining safety protocols through the peak heat of Wednesday and Thursday while monitoring for erratic winds.
In Long Beach, city bulldozers will continue reinforcing sand berms along the Peninsula coastline through the end of the high tide cycle on Wednesday evening.
What you can do:
Beat the Heat: Drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activities during peak daylight hours, seek air-conditioned shelter, and check in on elderly relatives and vulnerable neighbors.Avoid Impacted Beaches: Do not enter the water at the warned locations, including the Santa Monica Pier, Mother’s Beach, and Solstice Creek. For 24-hour updates, call the beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662 or view the interactive map at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach.Respect Fire Closures: Keep clear of Highway 39, which remains closed at Sierra Madre. Remember that flying private drones is strictly prohibited over active wildfire zones.
The Source: This report is based on information provided by Cal Fire, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, Angeles National Forest officials, the National Weather Service and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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