Searing heat & traffic woes seen for Labor Day weekend

Day three of the longest heat wave of the year brought hotter, more humid conditions and the fear of power interruptions. But that could be nothing compared to the weekend, when forecasters predict even hotter weather combined with some major traffic problems and less-than-ideal conditions at the beaches.

The biggest traffic problem could be on northbound Interstate 5 in Castiac, the route out of Southern California. One lane of the freeway will be closed for repairs between today and Monday -- peak travel times. Caltrans urges drivers to find other routes.

State energy officials today warned of a possible Stage 2 power emergency as temperatures were predicted to soar into the triple digits throughout California. They also urged people to reduce their energy use.

The California Independent System Operator, which controls the state’s power grid, declared a Stage 1 emergency Wednesday after energy reserves dipped below 7%, at 48,538 megawatts, said Gregg Fishman, a spokesman for the system operator. One megawatt can power about 750 homes at any given moment.

Today’s wattage was expected to increase to 49,572 megawatts, he said, making a Stage 1 emergency declaration likely. A Stage 2 emergency occurs when reserves dip below 5%. And a Stage 3 is declared when reserves dip below 1.5%. Last year there were two Stage 1 declarations and one Stage 2. The only Stage 3 declaration was in 2001.

A Stage 2 alert allows energy officials to kick in “significant tools,” which include voluntary programs for business and residential users to cut back on power use, Fishman said.

“We know it’s hot ... [but] if you can, without compromising your health or safety, bump that thermostat up a few degrees from 70 to 72 or 80, that will make a difference,” Fishman said.

He also urged people to avoid using large electrical appliances during peak afternoon hours.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the high 70s and low 80s at the beaches and up to triple digits inland through Labor Day. It should cool off about Wednesday, said Bill Hoffer, a spokesman for the National Weather Service.

Large crowds, and cold water, are expected at beaches this weekend. At Huntington Beach, nicknamed Surf City, there will be a surf competition on what’s expected to be small 1- to 3-foot waves.

“It’s wetsuit weather again,” said Lt. Mike Baumgartner of the Huntington Beach lifeguard services. “The days of summer -- real warm water -- are pretty much over at this point, up and down the coast.”

Even so, Baumgartner said the city was prepared to have as many as 60,000 or more people come to the beach each day this weekend.

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