US forecasters have warned of hazardous heat across parts of southern California this week, with temperatures expected to hit the high 30s Celsius, as Indonesia battles an extreme wildfire season.
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Key facts
- The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings for parts of southern California, including Los Angeles, until Thursday.
- Temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s Celsius.
- Burbank recorded 39C on Saturday, a few degrees short of the October record set in 1987.
- A persistent high-pressure system is driving the heat and increasing fire risk.
- Parts of Indonesia, including Western Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, are experiencing an extreme wildfire season.
The National Weather Service in the US has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of southern California, including Los Angeles, with the alerts in place until Thursday, according to the Guardian. Temperatures across the region are expected to hit the high 30s Celsius this week.
Burbank, a suburb north of Los Angeles, recorded 39C on Saturday, a few degrees shy of the October record for the region set in 1987. The heat reflects unusually warm conditions for the time of year.
A persistent area of high pressure is set to remain in place over the coming days, leading to further hazardous hot weather and an increased fire risk across the affected areas.
Elsewhere, parts of Indonesia are in the midst of an extreme wildfire season that has peaked over the past month. Western Kalimantan, on Borneo, and southern Sumatra have been particularly badly affected, the Guardian reports.
A lack of rainfall has dried the usually water-logged tropical soils, allowing fires to spread quickly both above and below the surface. Indonesia’s soils are also extremely rich in peat, meaning the smoke produced from the fires contains higher levels of toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Cities in surrounding areas and as far away as Malaysia and Singapore have experienced reduced air quality in recent weeks as a result. Drought and wildfires are more common in this part of the world during El Niño events, owing to suppressed thunderstorm activity.
Why it matters
Extreme heat poses serious health risks and raises the threat of wildfires, affecting millions of residents in densely populated areas such as Los Angeles. The parallel wildfire crisis in Indonesia shows how heat and drought can degrade air quality across entire regions.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the extreme heat warnings last in southern California?
The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of southern California, including Los Angeles, until Thursday.
How hot is it expected to get?
Temperatures are expected to hit the high 30s Celsius this week, and Burbank recorded 39C on Saturday.
Why is air quality worsening in parts of Southeast Asia?
Wildfires in parts of Indonesia, including peat-rich soils, are producing smoke with higher levels of toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, reducing air quality in surrounding areas and as far as Malaysia and Singapore.
Timeline
- Extreme heat warnings issued for parts of southern California
The Guardian World: Temperatures in US state forecast to hit high 30s celsius this week, while regions in Indonesia grapple with wildfires The National Weather Service in the US has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of southern California, including Los Angeles, until Thursday, as temperatures