Severe heat wave causes dangerous conditions across California amid pandemic
The broiling conditions that began Friday in California may rival the deadly seven-day heat event of July 2006.
![The thermometer at Calvary Church in Woodland Hills registers 116 degree's Fahrenheit.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/08fbfbe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2550+0+0/resize/1440x918!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F29%2Fb29c03c040178fe19983f97db884%2Fla-photos-1staff-597048-la-me-heat-wave-4-als.jpg)
The thermometer at Calvary Church in Woodland Hills registers 116 degrees Fahrenheit. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
The Holser Fire burns through the night just east of Lake Piru, where actress Naya Rivera died in mid-July. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![Lifeguard Michael Alfaro works with Kaila Holliday, 5, during a swim lesson in Palmdale.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d1b33ee/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5749x3502+0+0/resize/1440x877!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F00%2Fda%2F56227a94430e9b8e1fc5f0c9242c%2Fla-photos-1staff-597944-me-heat-wave-01-mjc.jpg)
Lifeguard Michael Alfaro, wearing protective gear, works with 5-year-old Kaila Holliday during a swim lesson at Marie Kerr Pool in Palmdale. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
After a day at the beach, Sebastian Grand, 11, left, Leo Grand, 13, and Constantin Condraschi, 12, of Orange County have pizza at a Slice of New York Pizza in Seal Beach. (Josie Norris / Los Angeles Times)
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![L.A. Rams rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis towels away sweat during practice.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/69b2eef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4000x2667+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb5%2Fdf%2F3b6a61df4498bdd7698a3ba993ff%2Fla-photos-1staff-595649-la-sp-rams-training-camp-24-als.jpg)
L.A. Rams rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis towels away sweat as temperatures soar at the Rams training facility in Thousand Oaks. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
![Jose Vasquez, left, and Jordan Taylor play a pickup basketball game in Lancaster.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c6625b1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4012x2549+0+0/resize/1440x915!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbe%2F6f%2Ffb6158f44df8a88c598cae5edc98%2Fla-photos-1staff-596909-me-hot-weather-06-mjc.jpg)
Jose Vasquez, left, and Jordan Taylor play a pickup basketball game at Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park in Lancaster. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
![Bejamin Cole II shows son Barreth Cole, 5, an exercise routine at Watts Empowerment Center.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2a66968/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3696x3460+0+0/resize/1025x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F54%2F8b%2Fe49f8e3c4be482c9b1817008d2bd%2Fla-photos-1staff-596210-0819-hm-barrys-bootcamp-gem-004.jpg)
Benjamin Cole II shows son Barreth Cole, 5, a routine while joining members of Barry’s Bootcamp as they conduct a workout session at the Watts Empowerment Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
![Jon Galapago sits in a hammock while fishing at Lake Evans amid triple-digit temperatures in Riverside.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4b94c6f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2809+0+0/resize/1435x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F35%2Fdd%2Fda9ac3f3479d9fa1ea804af8c3f0%2Fla-photos-1staff-595947-me-0818-heat-wave-continues-2-gmf.jpg)
Jon Galapago takes a break from the heat in a hammock during a day of fishing at Lake Evans in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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![Watts residents pick out clothing during the Children Mending Hearts weekly food and clothing giveaway.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/399eb1a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F47%2F12%2F151c971846b39091d6bdcce9b562%2Fla-photos-1staff-596951-me-0819-food-giveaway-watts-empowerment-center-gem-001.jpg)
Watts residents pick out clothing during the Children Mending Hearts weekly food and clothing giveaway at the Watts Empowerment Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
The Original Snake Doctor, left, and Louis Benton play a game of chess in Leimert Park. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Victor Eddie Chavez, 9, and Evangeline Benitez, 3, run through a fountain’s spouts at Hollywood & Highland. (Josie Norris / Los Angeles Times)
Matthew Giron, 8, frolics with friends and family near a drainage pipe along the San Gabriel River. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
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![A funnel appears in a thick plume of smoke from the Loyalton fire in Lassen County, Calif.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2038e99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa2%2F7e%2Fa904915e4ad18301369a11c63b4f%2Floyalton-fire.jpg)
A funnel appears in a thick plume of smoke from the Loyalton fire in Lassen County, Calif., on Aug. 15. (Katelynn & Jordan Hewlett via Associated Press)
![Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4eaf653/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5737x3817+0+0/resize/1440x958!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd1%2F2a%2Fadd16feb4d1c98dab8d63ca8d4ca%2Faptopix-california-weather-06055.jpg)
Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Aug. 16. Numerous lightning strikes sparked brush fires throughout the region. (Noah Berger / Associated Press
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![Firefighters prepare to defend a home as flames from the River fire approach in Salinas.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/12e60f9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5508x3552+0+0/resize/1440x929!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F82%2F7c%2Fdf7b151048e9a3838552a534ab5e%2Fcalifornia-wildfires-49353.jpg)
Firefighters prepare to defend a home as flames from the River fire approach in Salinas on Aug. 17. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
![A chimney stands amid the rubble of a home destroyed in the River fire.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/589e34d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5371x3574+0+0/resize/1440x958!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2Faa%2F65abde9f4ca09a327abe1572d70c%2Fcalifornia-wildfires-49743.jpg)
A chimney stands amid the rubble of a home destroyed in the River fire. (Noah Berger / Associated Press )
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![Don and Sally Joaquin watch for lightning strikes in unincorporated Contra Costa County.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9a20aca/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5000x3327+0+0/resize/1440x958!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe3%2F24%2F39a64ad743e697d23f7fabf8baf1%2Fcalifornia-weather-25153.jpg)
Don and Sally Joaquin watch for lightning strikes on Aug. 16 in unincorporated Contra Costa County. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
Friends and family rollick in a drainage pipe along the San Gabriel River. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
![Surfers and beachgoers on Venice Beach.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f1177bf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F84%2F4c9fd4bb4d25b9a76996f5dcce1c%2Fla-photos-1staff-594013-me-0816-news-heat-fire-gem-004.jpg)
People head to the beach in Venice amid the heat. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
![Liz Saul reads a novel on her iPad in the comfort of an air mattress in Venice.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/aafc0f0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2F81%2Fdf0b9e6e4c00ab28daad385af61b%2Fla-photos-1staff-594013-me-0816-news-heat-fire-gem-002.jpg)
Liz Saul reads a novel on her iPad in the comfort of an air mattress in Venice. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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![A crowded beach in Santa Monica.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5771e10/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4800x3032+0+0/resize/1440x910!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb2%2Ff1%2F497a4b6d4a31b5d90028f1d913bf%2Fla-photos-1staff-594529-la-me-heat-wave002-ls.jpg)
Beachgoers create a forest of umbrellas on the beach at Santa Monica. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
![Windsurfers sail off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro as people watch from the beach.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/01e54b4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5828x3886+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2Fa5%2F295ee45148b1bcbef427e6e5dc64%2Fla-photos-1staff-594581-me-0815-heat-wave-04-cmc.jpg)
Windsurfers sail off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
![People escape the heat at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d231800/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6526x4351+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8a%2F3a%2F210618514be09fd4b7c2c79faf7d%2Fla-photos-1staff-594581-me-0815-heat-wave-03-cmc.jpg)
People escape the heat at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
![An employee of a hot dog stand works inside the eatery in Santa Monica.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b8a41fe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4800x3224+0+0/resize/1429x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2F64%2Ffd57ca20493f85b23b90d224bc7c%2Fla-photos-1staff-594529-la-me-heat-wave004-ls.jpg)
An employee of a hot dog stand works inside the eatery along the boardwalk in Santa Monica. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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![Teens cavort on a backyard waterslide in Mira Loma.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8a8b317/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4200x2800+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F97%2F17%2F73ad4b864a78830cd86f8afeda02%2Fla-photos-1staff-594527-me-0815-heat-wave-5-gmf.jpg)
Jacob Debreceni, 16, with friends Ismael Fuentes, left, and Kevin Lemus, cools off with the help of a backyard waterslide in Mira Loma, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
![A rainbow seen through a break in trees in Santa Barbara.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8b60d23/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x3024+0+0/resize/1280x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb9%2Fda%2F2025cf70402e9cfda30060610d50%2Fme-weather-heat-rainbow.jpg)
Tropical moisture moving onshore northwest of Santa Barbara on Aug. 15 brought lightning strikes but also rainbows. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
![A cool breeze propels windsurfers across the shimmering waters off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6d753bc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4800x3204+0+0/resize/1438x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa0%2Fa9%2Fd0cb50b446608a6ab1b362fa7731%2Fla-photos-1staff-593976-la-me-heat-wave001-ls.jpg)
A cool breeze propels windsurfers across the shimmering waters off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
![A paddle boarder chooses a rental board at Bayshore Beach in Long Beach.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dd6ba48/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4800x2808+0+0/resize/1440x842!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2F83%2Fdb95d9c14793a98f3c336dabb0c7%2Fla-photos-1staff-593976-la-me-heat-wave004-ls.jpg)
A paddle boarder chooses a rental board at Bayshore Beach in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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![DeAndre Michaels dips his toes in a fountain in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/63e3f5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3600x2266+0+0/resize/1440x906!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F73%2F27%2F3218c4794dae9b7143258dc52ce7%2Fla-photos-1staff-593942-la-me-heat-wave-1-brv.jpg)
DeAndre Michaels dips his toes in a fountain in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
![A family cools off in the Santa Ana river](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3164169/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3461x2112+0+0/resize/1440x879!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fca%2F29%2Fea97017a4d98affc46bcc220544b%2Fla-photos-1staff-593995-me-0814-heat-wave-2-gmf.jpg)
At the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley, Mike Garcia of Norco and his children Jose, 7, and Monica, 10, employ multiple stay-cool techniques. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
![People swim in the Santa Ana River](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/46eff91/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2971x1905+0+0/resize/1440x923!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2F80%2F1c9386694285befdb726dbe20414%2Fla-photos-1staff-593995-me-0814-heat-wave-6-gmf.jpg)
The Telles family of the San Fernando Valley enjoys the water of the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
![The scene at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro on Friday.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6d42a4e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4800x3200+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Fac%2F596a742d426eb82e6a64c6bed032%2Fla-photos-1staff-593976-la-me-heat-wave002-ls.jpg)
The scene at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro on Aug. 14, where a cooling breeze kept the shore comfortable. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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![A mother and son play in a hammock at Woodley Park in Van Nuys.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4b2ee52/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6297x4127+0+0/resize/1440x944!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fad%2F56%2Faa37351844eb9f3d1bb4c69e80f4%2Fla-photos-1staff-593994-la-me-heat-wave1-mam.jpg)
At Woodley Park in Van Nuys, Blanca Celaya of Winnetka and her family enjoy the shade. She holds her 3-month-old son, Jason Celaya. Beyond are her daughter Celia Barinese and husband, Jaime Paiz. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Pedestrians pass a Black Lives Matter mural in Hollywood.
(Josie Norris / Los Angeles Times)