Orange County Cooling Centers Open During Labor Day Heatwave

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — We're having a heat wave, bigger than the last, according to the National Weather Service. This holiday weekend, a heightened risk of heat-related illnesses, wildfire threats and power outages exists. With temperatures in excess of 112 degrees in some areas, low humidity attributing to fire dangers, and the ongoing risks of coronavirus exposure over the Labor Day holiday, this one is a triple threat.

"Dangerous heat" is expected from Friday through Labor Day, the National Weather Service warned on its website. In Orange County, a heat advisory warning will be in force in coastal areas from 10 a.m, Saturday until 8 p.m. Monday.

The anticipated high temperatures are also sparking concerns about demand on the state's power grid as residents turn up their air conditioning units.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the power grid, announced that a Flex Alert -- a call for voluntary conservation -- will be in effect from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Urging voluntary conservation is an effort to stave off to much strain on the state's electrical system, possibly leading to rolling power outages, like those that occurred during high heat last month.

"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the NWS advised, adding that children, seniors and pets must never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances in since temperatures can quickly turn lethal in the current conditions.

"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible."

The weather service noted that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.

The high heat is being attributed to high pressure, which was centered near the California-Nevada border Wednesday evening and is forecast to settle into the Great Basin area through the weekend.

In forecasting an increased fire danger, forecasters said they were mainly focusing on the dryness that will take hold in the region, partly because of the absence of monsoonal moisture. NWS meteorologist David Sweet said humidity levels will fall to single digits in interior areas of L.A. County Thursday. But no red flag warnings indicating a high risk of wildfires are likely to be issued because there's very little wind, if any.

The NWS forecast sunny skies in Orange County Thursday and highs of 74 in Laguna Beach and San Clemente; 75 in Newport Beach; 84 on Santiago Peak; 85 in Fullerton, Irvine and at Fremont Canyon; 86 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet; 87 in Yorba Linda, Anaheim and Mission Viejo; and 89 at Trabuco Canyon.

Coastal communities will climb up to 109 Saturday, about the same as inland communities, which is unusual.

By Wednesday, Mission Viejo will drop down to 90 degrees but all other locales will be in the 80s, except at the coast, which will have reverted to the high 70s, according to an extended NWS forecast.

Cooling centers in Orange County will be open, some beginning Thursday and others Friday through the weekend:

-- Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Ave. 714-765-3373

-- Canyon Hills Library, 400 Scout Trail, 714-974-7360

-- Central Branch Library, 500 W. Broadway, 714-765-1880

-- Downtown Anaheim Community Center, 250 E. Center St. 714-765-4500

-- East Anaheim Library, 8201 Santa Ana Canyon, 714-765-3887

-- Euclid Branch Library, 1340 S. Euclid, 714-765-3625

-- Haskett Branch Library, 2650 W. Broadway, 714-765-5075

-- Ponderosa Joint Use Library, 240 E. Orangewood Ave., 714-740-0202

-- Sunkist Branch Library, 901 S. Sunkist, 714-765-3576

-- West Anaheim Youth Center, 320 S. Beach Blvd., 714-765-6400

Fountain Valley:

-- The Center at Founders Village-Senior and Community Center, 17967 Bushard Street, 8:30 am-4:00 pm Monday-Friday;

Garden Grove:

-- H. Louis Lake Senior Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

La Habra:-- 101 West La Habra Boulevard, 8 am -5 pm Friday - Sunday;

Laguna Woods:-- 24264 El Toro Road, 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday;

La Palma:-- Cool Center at the La Palma Police Department, 7792 Walker Street, Hours vary, call for more information.714-690-3370;

Newport Beach:-- Newport Coast Community Center, 6401 San Joaquin Hills Rd., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

Seal Beach:-- Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Drive, 11:00 am., Saturday and Sunday.

Cooling centers in Los Angeles County will be open, some beginning Thursday and others Friday through the weekend:

-- Quartz Hill Library, 5040 W. Avenue M-2, open Thursday and Friday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- El Monte Community Center, 3130 Tyler Ave., open Saturday and Sunday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Griffith Manor Park, 1551 Flower St., Glendale, open Friday through Tuesday, 10 a.m-6 p.m.;
-- Pacific Community Center, 501 S. Pacific Ave., Glendale, Saturday through Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
-- Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, Thursday through Tuesday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Las Palmas Park, 505 S. Huntington St., San Fernando, Friday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.;
-- Buena Vista Library, 300 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank, Friday through Monday, noon-6 p.m.; and
-- Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fairs Oaks Ave., Pasadena, Friday through Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
The city of Long Beach will operate cooling centers from noon to 6 p.m. mSaturday and Sunday at:
-- Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave.;
-- El Dorado Park West, 2800 Studebaker Road;
-- Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.;
-- Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. Fourth St.; and
-- McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Authorities noted that due to the coronavirus pandemic, cooling centers will be limited in capacity and restrictions will be in place, such as requiring face coverings.

Sunny skies were forecast in valley areas of L.A. County Thursday but partly cloudy conditions were expected nearer the coast, along with highs of 75 degrees at LAX; 80 in Avalon; 82 in Long Beach; 83 in Downtown L.A.; 90 in San Gabriel; 91 in Burbank; 92 in Pasadena; 97 in Saugus and Woodland Hills; and 102 in Palmdale and Lancaster. Temperatures will be up to eight degrees higher Friday, up to 11 degrees higher than that on Sunday, then begin a sharp decline, though by Wednesday several communities will still be in the 90s -- 98 in the case of Woodland Hills.