A prolonged record heat wave scorches the West, prompting many Californians to turn up their thermostats

Some parts of California are experiencing extreme heat this time of year, with temperatures 10 to 25 degrees warmer than normal, but the heat is already increasing power demand and straining the grid.

Despite the heat, Californians are being asked to set their thermostats above 78 degrees on Sunday from 4pm to 9pm, avoid using major appliances, and turn off all unnecessary lights. Operators asked residents to pre-cool their homes by 4 p.m.

California’s independent system operator said in a news release, “There will be little relief from the triple-digit temperatures seen in the next few days, with heat only strengthening through Tuesday, which could call additional flex alerts. high,” he said.

For the past three days, utilities have received their heaviest electricity demand since September 2017, Elliot Meinser, president and chief executive officer of California Independent Grid Operators, said at a news briefing on Saturday. .

“The next few days are likely to be a dress rehearsal for a much more stressful set of conditions,” Meinser said.

He stressed that residents’ adherence to the warnings is important to ensure there are no blackouts. “That reaction can be the difference between whether the lights stay on or not,” Meinzer said.

NV Energy, a utility that serves more than 1.5 million homes and businesses throughout Nevada, also asked to reduce power usage between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. I ask residents.

Wildfires spread as California burns

The combination of blistering temperatures and low relative humidity across the region also means an increased risk of wildfires. According to NOAA, parts of northern California, southeastern Oregon, northwestern Nevada, and southwestern Idaho are experiencing fire-hazardous weather.

“There’s no doubt that the number and size of wildfires burning across California has been steadily increasing over the past few days,” California Fire Department Chief Deputy Commissioner Chris Anthony said at a press conference Saturday. rice field.

The Siskiyou County factory fire burned an estimated 4,254 acres and destroyed 50 buildings as of Saturday night.

In the same county, wildfires have spread to 4,812 acres.

Further south, the Los Angeles County Root Fire broke out on 5,208 acres on Saturday night and showed an 87% containment rate, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department update. The flames destroyed two of her structures and threatened hundreds more.

Warmer weather expected Thursday

The heat dome that produces the heatwave slowly spreads eastward over the central and northern plains by midweek. More than 150 high temperature records could be set or recorded by Thursday, according to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Damme.

The sweltering heat is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with little relief during the night, with cooler temperatures expected on Thursday.

“By Thursday, we’ll see some easing as temperatures drop further south through Thursday and Friday,” said Sarah Rogowski of the National Weather Service at a briefing on Saturday.

“However, temperatures remain above normal and are expected to continue through the middle of the month,” she added.

Extreme weather events, including heat waves like the current one, are becoming more frequent and will continue to become more frequent and intense due to the effects of human-induced climate change, scientists warn.