Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Heat, Low Humidity And Gusty Winds Have Us At High Fire Risk Already

If you’re thinking of hosting a backyard barbecue this weekend, hold off on those coals. There’s an increased risk for wildfires in Los Angeles County’s inland, valley and mountain areas, according to the National Weather Service — so you’re going to want to refrain from any activities that could cause a spark.
Brian Adams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says fire conditions come from a combination of three factors:
- Hotter temperatures
- Lower humidity
- Gusty winds
He says typically, peak fire season would be a couple of months from now, but it’s coming a little earlier this year.
“With the ongoing drought right now it you kind of add more of a buffer on to either side of the beginning and end of fire season," Adams said. "So we can effectively consider at high fire [risk] at this point.”
Elevated to brief critical fire conditions will continue today for interior areas. Warm and very dry conditions and gusty NW winds are expected. Use extra caution with any source of spark or flame! Fires will grow very quickly. #CAwx #SoCal pic.twitter.com/TZXpvoTorw
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 23, 2022
Quite a few stations are in Red Flag criteria this evening (the stations highlighted red). Very low humidities (under 10%) with gusty winds have created elevated to critical Fire Weather conditions. A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the W San Gabriel Mtns. #CAwx #SoCal pic.twitter.com/yE8ZxPfxIf
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 23, 2022
Adams noted that when it comes to humidity levels "generally anything below 20% is where we started getting really, really concerned."
He said the current warning, for example, came as meteorologists looked "at relative humidity of around 6 to 12%."
For anyone living in areas at risk for fire, Adams suggests packing a “go bag” with batteries, charging devices, electronics, and non-perishable food, in case an evacuation is ordered.
The NWS says the gusty winds will die down a bit Sunday, but the weather will remain warm and dry, and fire conditions will continue through Wednesday.
What To Do When It's Dangerously Hot
That high heat making fires more likely also brings with it other risks. We have some tips and advice for how to stay safe when the thermometer hits the 90s and triple digits.
-
- Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water or electrolyte-replacements
- Drink cool water, not extremely cold water (which can cause cramps)
- Avoid sweetened drinks, caffeine, and alcohol
-
Protect a pet from excessive heat
-
- Never leave a pet or animal in a garage
- Never leave a pet or animal in a vehicle
- Never leave a pet or animal in the sun
- Provide shade
- Provide clean drinking water
-
Protect a human from excessive heat
-
Check in frequently with family, friends, and neighbors. Offer assistance or rides to those who are sick or have limited access to transportation. And give extra attention to people most at risk, including:
-
- Elderly people (65 years and older)
- Infants
- Young children
- People with chronic medical conditions
- People with mental illness
- People taking certain medications (i.e.: "If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot," says the CDC)
-
- Kiddie pool
- Lotions in the fridge
- Eat spicy foods in the basement (or on the floor) while wearing a damp shirt and listening to the rain setting on your white noise machine
- Make sure ceiling fans are running counterclockwise
- Wet paper towels. Fold into ankle and wrist cuffs. Freeze. Wear. Repeat.
- Build a DIY AC
- Build a mini cold air fan
- Build an "evaporative cooler for immediate heat relief"
- Make a barricade of fans and ice cubes
- Go to an air-conditioned store and browse for as long as possible (Target is a good option for this).
- Close all the curtains, preferably the heat-absorbing kind
- Or open all the windows, depending on the breeze situation
- Cool bath or shower twice a day
- Wash your sheets before bed but don't dry them — put them on your bed damp (provided you're dealing with a dry heat)
- Portable A/C unit
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.