SACRAMENTO, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday ordered implementation of emergency plans as much of the state braced for a week of triple-digit temperatures.
The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for Los Angeles, Kern, Kings, Madera, Tulare and Fresno counties and was forecasting above normal heat in Riverside and Imperial counties. Schwarzenegger directed the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Public Health to open cooling centers in those counties.
The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s electricity grid, issued a “Flex Alert” for Wednesday and Thursday, asking Californians to reduce electrical use, particularly between the peak-use hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Officials were asking the public to limit their outdoor activities as well, The Los Angeles Times reported, as temperatures Wednesday were expected to reach as high as 96 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and 110 in some inland valley areas. Forecasters said the temperature could reach 115 in the Palm Springs area.
Temperatures were expected to fall after Wednesday, but not by much. Forecasters said temperatures in the region would remain well above normal in Southern California and the central San Joaquin Valley through the Labor Day weekend.
