It’s going to be a really hot October — and it’s going to last awhile

Elly Yu reports on how certain populations, like children, are especially vulnerable to heat and climate change.

Published October 1, 2026 at 2:21 PM PDT

Five people are crossing the street in a white crosswalk in downtown Los Angeles as cars drive past. The sun is bearing down on the pavement between two tall buildings in the skyline on a clear day.

What does the hot weather mean for fire risk?
How do we manage through the heat?

Southern California is expected to see the longest heat wave of the season.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the greater Los Angeles area from Friday through at least next Thursday, and forecasters say it’ll likely extend beyond that.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s to mid-100s, even in coastal areas.

“Unfortunately, we don't really see an end to it as far as we can tell, and that's probably the biggest thing we wanna highlight, is that while we have had hotter events this season already, this one might be the longest-lasting,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Kittell said they expect to see a few daily records to be broken.

Southern California saw a record-breaking 10-day heat wave in the summer of 2022.

What does the hot weather mean for fire risk?

Forecasters say conditions likely won’t meet the threshold for issuing red flag warnings (extremely dry air and windy conditions), but the risk of fire is still going to be high during the heat wave.

SoCal Cooling Centers

In L.A., Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, call 3-1-1 or call for a list of cooling centers. In the city of Los Angeles, you can also find a list of recreation centers, senior centers and libraries — all good choices for cooling off — online.

Tip: Call the center in advance to make sure seating is available.
Tip: If the center you want is at capacity, or non-operational, head to a local, air-conditioned library and cool off with a book about ice fishing in Antarctica.

You can get more details of cooling centers in Southern California:

How do we manage through the heat?

Kittell said people should make plans to stay cool during the long heat wave, and check in on neighbors who are elderly, or on families with young children.

Officials say residents should limit outdoor activities to the early morning hours, stay in air-conditioned places in the afternoon and evening hours, and stay hydrated.

Staying safe in the heat

Hydrate

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 pets

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 people

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," the CDC recommends).