Heat Wave Expected to Hit Southern California, Hindering Efforts Against Erskine Fire in Kern County

Entire neighborhoods have been leveled by the Erskine Fire. Above, the South Lake area near Lake Isabella lies in ruins Saturday as smoke rises in the background. (Credit: Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

by: Los Angeles Times, Jennifer Gould

Posted: Jun 27, 2016 / 06:32 AM PDT

Updated: Jun 27, 2016 / 07:14 AM PDT

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Another unseasonable heat wave was expected to hit Southern California early this week, complicating efforts to contain the massive wildfire raging in Kern County, forecasters said.

Temperatures were expected to start rising across the region on Sunday, caused by a high pressure system coming in from the east, and remain above normal through Wednesday, said Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

This week’s heat wave was expected to be about 5 to 10 degrees milder than last week’s record-shattering one, with temperatures mostly in the 90s and topping 100 in valley areas.

Kern County, where the 36,000-acre Erskine fire is threatening thousands of homes, was also expected to see above-normal temperatures with highs around 100 degrees into Tuesday. Areas surrounding Lake Isabella, which is at a higher altitude, should see highs in the mid-90s, said Carlos Molina, a NWS meteorologist in Hanford.

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