California Is Super Hot, on Fire, and Expecting Blackouts
A heat wave hit western states over the Labor Day weekend, prompting warnings for tens of thousands of people. Through Tuesday, persistent heat is putting out fires and threatening California's power grid, and officials are urging residents to reduce their electricity use to avoid blackouts. The National Weather Service said a heat warning is in effect for Southern California through Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach 111 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius). Unseasonably warm weather worsened dry conditions in the state, sparking a fire in Fairview on Monday that forced hundreds of residents to evacuate from Hammett, California. Schools in the area are closed today due to the fire, power outages and very high temperatures, according to the district's online announcement. Power outages are expected in other areas of Southern California. According to energy officials, this day reaches 51,000 MW, and California is the highest demand that California has never seen,