Extreme weekend heat and fire warnings sweep inland Southern California

Inland regions of California are set for extreme heat this weekend, with forecasts of 90-100 °F in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and peaks of 112 °F in the Antelope Valley and 120 °F in the Mojave Desert. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory and warned that any ignition could lead to fast-moving, plume-driven fires across interior valleys, mountains and deserts. The Ridge brush fire has already burned about 1,000 acres, closing the Grapevine section of I-5 and triggering a smoke advisory that may irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Health officials urged anyone with worsening respiratory symptoms to seek medical attention. A coastal flood advisory warns of up to 1.6 feet of water in low-lying shoreline areas, while Metrolink will halt service on the Orange County Line from Monday to Wednesday, though Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will continue operating.