California Experiences Record Breaking Temperatures Following wildfires

A+blaze+sparked+at+a+construction+site+around+1%3A20+a.m.+in+Los+Angeles%2C+California.

Michael Medows/EPA

A blaze sparked at a construction site around 1:20 a.m. in Los Angeles, California.

Jillian Jenks, Reporter

Southern California has seen record breaking temperatures after wildfires have ravaged everything in their paths. Woodland Hills, a neighborhood in the region, experienced a record high temperature of 121 degrees. Many places in San Fernando Valley, including Santa Barbara Airport, Camarillo, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles Airport, and Long Beach Airport, have also experienced the blistering heat left behind by wildfires.

Due to the heatwave over Labor Day weekend, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) declared a stage 2 emergency. A stage 2 emergency means “The ISO has taken all mitigating action and is no longer able to provide its expected energy requirements,” according to msn.com. Because of this, residents should be wary of their power usage and expect rotating power outages.

Due to smoke and ash caused by the fires, the skies have become a glowing orange and air quality has lowered. Golfers participating in the Safeway Open tournament in Napa were met with these conditions on Wednesday as they played their practice rounds. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District determined that the air quality in Napa was considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Sensitive groups include active children and adults and anyone with lung diseases, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These groups should be aware of the risk posed by the air around them and stay safe by staying inside, reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outside, using air filters, creating as little air pollution as possible, and seeking medical attention should they feel sick.

The only thing left for residents to do is heed official warnings, and evacuate should they feel unsafe. California officials hope that soon, the fires will be put out, the blistering heat waves will cool down, and that the state will be able to start healing.