Parts of Santa Barbara County are under a red flag warning this week as temperatures are heating up. Coasts are expected to be the coolest, the National Weather Service said.
Parts of Santa Barbara County are under a red flag warning this week as temperatures are heating up. Coasts are expected to be the coolest, the National Weather Service said. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

Parts of Santa Barbara County are under a red flag warning this week as temperatures are heating up.

Red flag warnings are in effect for the Santa Ynez Mountain Range, the Santa Barbara County interior mountains and foothills, and the Cuyama Valley from 9 a.m. Wednesday to 9 p.m. Saturday as temperatures will reach the 90s and low 100s, according to the National Weather Service. 

Thursday and Friday are expected to be the hottest days for Santa Barbara County. The Santa Ynez Valley will be under an extreme heat warning as temperatures are expected to be in the mid- to high 90s. 

Santa Maria and Buellton will be under a heat advisory on Thursday and Friday with temperatures in the mid-80s. 

Lompoc is expected to see temperatures in the mid-80s on Thursday and Friday before temperatures drop down to the high 70s on Saturday. 

Santa Barbara and the South Coast should see daytime temperatures in the high 70s and 80s Thursday through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. 

Check the latest weather forecast and NWS alerts here.

A National Weather Service table shows the forecast for this week's heat wave.
A National Weather Service table shows the forecast for this week’s heat wave. Credit: National Weather Service photo

Officials are carefully monitoring weather conditions as sundowner winds, low humidity and high temperatures can create conditions in which wildfires easily spark and grow quickly. 

With the red flag warning, fire crews are prepared to respond to new fires that start in areas around and impacted by the Gifford Fire, which as of Wednesday is 95% contained. 

Crews are using a specific infrared aircraft tool to identify remaining heat sources that need to be extinguished, according to a Wednesday incident report. 

A National Weather Service map shows the forecast for this week's heat wave.
A National Weather Service map shows the forecast for this week’s heat wave. Credit: National Weather Service photo

During the heat wave, the NWS recommends that residents move plans for strenuous outdoor activity to the morning or another week, review fire evacuation plans and routes, and monitor emergency warnings.

The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management sent out a message Tuesday evening warning residents to avoid any activities that could spark a wildfire, drink plenty of water, give pets water to stay cool and hydrated, and check on elderly neighbors and others who may be sensitive to hot conditions.

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.