Extreme heat wave is set to hit Southland

The season’s most dangerous heat wave is expected to bake Southern California and much of the American Southwest this week, with triple-digit highs and elevated fire conditions set to begin Wednesday and last for several days.

- GRACE TOOHEY

HAYLEY Monforte walks Daisy on Monday at Lake Balboa's Anthony C. Beilenson Park ahead of a heat wave.

Extreme heat and fire weather advisories have been issued for much of inland Southern California, with peak temperatures expected Thursday and Friday. Downtown Los Angeles is forecast to reach 94 degrees, while Woodland Hills could hit 108. Los Angeles County valleys and the Inland Empire probably will heat up to 104 degrees. Palm Springs could hit above 113 and Death Valley is bracing for 120 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

"This is going to be the most significant heat wave of the season so far," said Ariel Cohen, the meteorologist in charge at the weather service's Oxnard office. "We're going to be having a once-a-year, once-every-other-year-caliber heat wave.... Everyone needs to be getting prepared now."

Although this is typically the hottest time of year, he said, highs at the end of the week will reach near records, 10 to 20 degrees above normal. People need to stay hydrated, make sure they have access to air conditioning and refrain from outside activities in the heat of the day in order to avoid heat-related illness, Cohen said.