Extreme heat is baking Southern California as the most dangerous heat wave of the summer pushes temperatures well intro triple digits for much of the region. The heat, along with extreme drought and gusty conditions, are also increasing the threat of wildfires.

Los Angeles

Southern California is facing a severe heat wave, with temperatures in some areas expected to reach 110 degrees. This extreme heat, combined with ongoing drought and gusty winds, has led to red flag warnings and a heightened risk of wildfires. Fire crews in Los Angeles have increased their readiness, receiving additional support from the state, including extra fire engines, a helicopter, and incident management teams. Recent brush fires have been quickly contained, but authorities emphasize the importance of rapid response to prevent flames from spreading out of control.

Los Angeles faces dangerous heat wave, increased wildfire threat

We begin tonight in Southern California, where temperatures in some areas are set to soar to 110 degrees, igniting wildfire red flag warnings. Los Angeles is still recovering from this winter's historic fires. And as CBS's Jonathan Vigliotti reports, fire crews aren't taking any chances. Extreme heat is baking Southern California as a dangerous heat wave pushes temperatures well into triple digits for much of the region through Saturday. Push it, push it, push it, push it. Luis Garcia and his son live in Santa Clarita, where temperatures are topping 100 degrees today. The heat is no joke out here. The heat, it could kill you. Heat, with millions living in extreme drought and fanned by gusty conditions, also increases the threat of wildfires. Whenever we have this elevated temperatures, there is always a possibility that any spark could create a fire. Adam Van Gerpen is a captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department. There's no such thing as a brush fire season. We get our heaviest winds, our Santa Ana wind conditions in October. But we're seeing these fast, erratic winds year round. On Wednesday, fire crews battled a brush fire in Laguna Niguel, just south of Los Angeles, extinguishing flames just before they reached this hilltop neighborhood. Southern California has seen a stretch of wildfires so far this year, from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires in January to the Canyon fire several weeks ago. Van Gerpen's department has bulked up resources to be ready to fight flames where they crop up. So the city and the state taking this very seriously. Right. So we did put a request in. The state did grant us that. They sent us 10 additional fire engines from the state, as well as a helicopter, a couple of dozer units, and an incident management team, just in anticipation if there is an emergency. And we're here at one of the staging areas for the city. There has been a number of small brush fires today, but crews quickly arriving and gaining containment. There is a critical window here, about 10 to 30 minutes, John, where crews can arrive before those flames possibly grow out of control.

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Breakdown