Triple-digit temperatures expected to break L.A. heat records

A potentially record-breaking heat wave will continue to create extremely dangerous fire conditions throughout the region Tuesday as temperatures soar 10 to 20 degrees above normal, forecasters warned.

Combined with low humidity and blustery Santa Ana winds, the hot weather has prompted an extended red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, which could see several temperatures records broken as the heat wave peaks Tuesday through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

In downtown L.A., the high is expected to hit 99 degrees, which would beat the record set in 1979 by one degree, according to the weather service. In Long Beach, the high is expected to hit 100 degrees.

There will be little relief at the beaches, with highs expected to be in the mid to high 90s.

On Wednesday, several records are expected to fall as temperatures are predicted to hit 102 in Burbank, 102 in Long Beach, and 101 in downtown and Woodland Hills, the weather service said.

The stifling heat has prompted fire agencies across the Southland to beef up staffing.

The U.S. Forest Service said Monday that it has assigned 24-hour staffing for crews on more than two dozen fire engine and lightweight brush patrol vehicles across the Angeles National Forest.

On Monday, Los Angeles County transportation officials said some roads were being closed in the Angeles National Forest because of the fire danger.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has more than 70 additional firefighters on duty across the county, Inspector Tony Akins said. The department also has pre-positioned extra fire engines, brush patrol vehicles and water tender trucks in Agoura Hills and Malibu.

Akins said a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection strike team has been assigned to county Fire Station 126 in Santa Clarita.

The Ventura County Fire Department has beefed up its initial response to all brush fires so that crews have a better chance of knocking down flames before they spread.

The National Weather Service said Santa Ana wind gusts of 30 mph are likely Tuesday morning.