July 4th heat wave brings elevated fire risk, weather service says

Lina Portman3 days ago

0 4 minutes read

Prepare for a real heatwave on July 4th.

Redding and the rest of the northern Sacramento Valley should brace for extreme heat and a high risk of wildfires next week, meteorologists say.

Expect temperatures to reach at least 113 degrees Fahrenheit in Redding, with the worst heat Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

The heat wave marks a continuation of what could be a hotter-than-usual summer, according to meteorologist Kate Forrest of the weather service.

When will the heat wave and high fire danger arrive in Redding?

By the weekend, temperatures in Redding will hover around 100 degrees, according to Forrest.

Temperatures are expected to climb to 104 degrees Monday afternoon, then reach 108 degrees Tuesday, according to the weather service. Temperatures will rise again Wednesday, with a high of at least 111 degrees.

The heat, already dry grasses, very dry air and wind gusts up to 30 mph will make it easier for existing fires to spread and new fires to start, Forrest reported.

The most serious fire risk is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, due to humidity levels dropping to below 10°C and high winds.

Meteorologists expect the heat to continue Thursday, with a high of 109 or higher. Those strong winds are expected to calm down by then, reducing the fire risk, Forrest said.

By Friday, temperatures could reach 113, according to the weather service.

Expect a scorching hot day for Independence Day in Redding and Anderson

People arriving early for Redding-area fireworks and festivals should expect evening temperatures in the 100s, according to the weather service.

Anderson Gates Explode! at the Anderson Fairgrounds opened at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, around the time temperatures of 111 degrees are expected, according to Forrest.

More: Redding and Mount Shasta Celebrate July 4th with Fireworks and Festivals

On Thursday, July 4, the Redding Freedom Festival will open at 6 p.m., shortly after which the heat is expected to peak at 109 degrees, Forrest said.

One piece of good news: Nighttime temperatures will drop to the 60s and 70s, which is cool enough to give the northern state a short break from the heat, she said.

The rest of the summer should be scorching after a hot June

Although the weather in Redding didn't break any records in June, most of the month was warmer than usual, Forrest said.

“We had 11 days in June where temperatures were 100 degrees or higher,” Forrest said, compared to Redding's average high temperatures that month, which hovered around 91.9 degrees.

The hottest day in June in the city was June 21, the day after the summer solstice, when the mercury hit 108 degrees, she said.

Note to readers: If you like the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight please consider subscribing yourself or gift a subscription to someone you know. Thank you for your continued investment in our community coverage.

There's not much relief in sight, with climate predictors indicating there's a 40 to 50 percent chance the rest of Redding's summer will be warmer than average, Forrest said.

Where to Find Shasta County Cooling Centers

Shasta County maintains public cooling centers at library branches in Redding, Shasta Lake, Anderson, Cottonwood and Burney and at the Good News Rescue Mission. Seniors are encouraged to cool off at the Frontier Center in Anderson, according to the county.

However, even if the first week of July will be warm, the weather likely won't meet the county's criteria for opening additional temporary cooling centers, according to the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency.

For this to happen, the daytime heat index – a combination of air temperature and humidity – must be above 110 degrees and the nighttime heat index must be above 80 degrees for two consecutive days, depending on the county.

Other criteria for opening temporary cooling centers in community settings include a power outage with a heat index above 105 degrees, an increase in “heat-related illnesses, medical emergencies” or deaths, and any other situation in which public health officials determine that “heat exposure puts lives at imminent risk,” according to HHSA.

Go to tinyurl.com/mr3mjvz6 for a list of permanent public cooling centers, along with their locations and hours.

Tips for Keeping Family and Pets Cool

Impacts to people, pets and livestock that stay outdoors, even for moderate periods, can include heat-related illnesses like heatstroke, according to the weather service, Shasta County Health and the HHSA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and HHSA make the following recommendations:

Never leave people or animals in a parked car.
Drink water. Avoid dehydrating beverages like caffeinated drinks and alcohol.
Stay indoors in an air-conditioned area. Air coolers and fans are not always enough to prevent heat-related illnesses.
If you must go out, avoid outdoor activities from midday until early evening. Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing with a wide-brimmed hat. Use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and reapply every two hours.
If you have a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, or feeling weak, drink water or juice and rest in a cool place. If you or someone you know has a throbbing headache, hot, dry skin, or confusion, seek medical attention immediately.
Check on friends and family, especially older people and people with health problems.

For more tips on protecting people, go to cdc.gov/extreme-heat/prevention/?CDC.

Be sure to keep your pets in an air-conditioned area and don't rely solely on a fan, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Make sure animals have shade and fresh water.

Walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun is low and temperatures are cooler, and be careful they don't burn their paws on asphalt or cement, the Humane Society said.

For more animal protection tips, visit humanesociety.org/resources/keep-pets-safe-heat.

Jessica Skropanic is a reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today network. She covers science, arts, social issues and current affairs. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get out! North Cal Facebook leisure group. To support and perpetuate this work, please subscribe today. THANKS.

When will the heat wave and high fire danger arrive in Redding?

Expect a scorching hot day for Independence Day in Redding and Anderson

The rest of the summer should be scorching after a hot June

Where to Find Shasta County Cooling Centers

Tips for Keeping Family and Pets Cool

Lina Portman

Related Articles

Binance CEO “CZ” sentenced to four months in prison

Vandenberg conducts test launch for development of new weapon system | Local News

New system to identify discrepancies including '207 questions' method on table, latest news, Kerala news, Karuvanur bank fraud

Missing US troops identified decades later | The Arkansas Democratic Gazette