The heat is here to stay and will only get warmer later this week.

An extreme heat warning goes into effect on Tuesday as temperatures in Santa Barbara County are expected to reach the 90s throughout the week.

The National Weather Service has issued a warning for most of southwest California, including Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties. It also issued a red flag warning for high fire-risk weather.

Ryan Kittell, a senior meteorologist, said the extreme temperatures are expected to last until Friday. However, he warned that the heat will not totally disappear heading into the weekend.

“Even after Friday, the relief is really minimal,” Kittell said. “Saturday will still be really hot, and even through the foreseeable future we don’t see any big cool down.”

Kittell said the areas expected to see the highest temperatures will be in areas near the valleys, including Van Nuys, Burbank and Pasadena. Those areas will likely see triple-digit heat.

“The beach areas will also still be warm and will likely hit the upper 80s, maybe even 90 in the hottest areas,” Kittell said.

Santa Barbara is expected to see daytime temperatures in the low 90s from Tuesday through Friday. Thursday is expected to be the hottest day, with estimated temperatures around 94 degrees.

Surrounding areas such as Goleta most likely will see daytime temperatures topping out in the high 80s. Carpinteria is expected to see daytime highs in the mid-80s throughout the week.

The Santa Ynez Valley and Cuyama Valley are expected to top 100 degrees this week, according to weather forecasters.

The Lompoc and Santa Maria valleys are expected to hit the 80s and have a heat advisory in effect, according to the National Weather Service.

Even though Kittell said it is hard to rank which years are the hottest because different metrics can be used, some do provide an idea of how hot this year may be.

One example he pointed out is that downtown Los Angeles has seen 23 days over 90 degrees since July. The record is 25 days in 1925, but that measurement is expected to be broken this year.

Dr. Daniel Shepherd, the deputy health officer for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, said the department’s main goals during a heat wave are to make sure medical facilities are prepared and that people are informed on how to stay safe.

Shepard said the people most at risk are elderly residents, people with underlying medical conditions and residents taking certain kinds of medication.

He warned that people working or exercising in the sun are also particularly vulnerable to heat.

In addition to being hydrated, he recommended that workers wear proper cover to reduce the effects of the sun.

Shepard said that many people in Santa Barbara may not be accustomed to the extreme heat and do not always take the proper precautions ahead of time. Sometimes this can include people who decide to go for a run or a hike out in the canyons.

“The main thing is not to underestimate it,” Shepard said.

He suggested that residents have a plan for the heat ahead of time if they are susceptible to the heat or if the power goes out, especially if someone in the home needs medical equipment that may fail during an outage.

He recommended that residents try to find a cool place if they do not have air conditioning, such as a library or other public space.  

Goleta will host a cooling center beginning on Tuesday and continuing until Friday from noon to 6 p.m. The center will be held in the Council Chambers at Goleta City Hall, 130 Cremona Drive.

Goleta’s splash pad at Jonny D. Wallis Neighborhood Park in Old Town also will be open until Labor Day weekend. The pad is open six days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The area is closed on Wednesdays for maintenance.

Residents can sign up for ReadySBC emergency alerts for extreme weather updates and other information.

Red Flag Warning for High Fire Risk

The NWS also issued a red flag warning for the Santa Barbara South Coast, the Cuyama Valley and interior mountains of the county through Friday.

“The combination of extreme heat, very deep mixing heights, dry fuels, low
humidity and locally gusty winds can lead to rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior,
including the potential for large plume-dominated fires,” said Mike Gray, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Southern Santa Barbara County will also see strong winds beginning Monday afternoon and continuing until Saturday night. The strongest winds are expected on Tuesday evening and Saturday night.

Officials predict winds of 15 to 30 mph and gusts of 30 to 45 mph, particularly near the Gaviota, Refugio and San Marcos Pass areas.

Officials are warning the public to sign up for ReadySBC alerts to receive the latest emergency updates and prepare an evacuation plan with at least two escape routes.

Residents are also advised not to hike or use front-country trails during red flag notices. Additionally, residents should not use any machinery that can cause sparks near dry brush or other flammable material.

Any signs of smoke, fire or suspicious activity should be reported immediately to 9-1-1. Residents should be prepared to give their exact location.

ReadySBC is warning the public of the possibility of public safety power shutoffs throughout the week because of the risk of fires. Residents can check if their area could be affected on the county websites or the status of power outages on Southern California Edison’s online map.

Public Health Tips to Stay Cool

County officials sent out precautions and tips to stay cool during hot weather:

• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Avoid hazardous activities that may cause sparks and start a wildfire, such as using lawn care equipment and towing with dragging chains along roadways.
• Take care of those who might not be aware of high temperature dangers or be able to react accordingly — especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your neighbors.
• Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, such as morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest often.
• For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded area or air-conditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.
• Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can help, too.
• If you do not have air conditioning, consider arranging to spend at least parts of the day at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing works best.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.
• Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 9-1-1 immediately. Heat stroke is life-threatening!
• Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It takes only a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures.