With temperatures set to soar above 110 degrees across much of California this week, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging residents to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July.
Governor Newsom has directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center and move into Phase II of its Extreme Temperature Response Plan. This plan is triggered by the National Weather Service (NWS) predictions of excessive heat and coordinates a comprehensive state government response.
The state has already begun outreach efforts through a network of community organizations to ensure the most vulnerable Californians can access resources such as cooling centers. Additionally, measures are being enforced to protect outdoor workers from the heat.
Excessive heat warnings and watches are in effect for much of California starting Tuesday and continuing through the weekend. The NWS is forecasting extreme heat risk for many parts of the state, with temperatures ranging from 105 to 115 degrees for multiple days and little relief overnight. Extreme heat kills more Americans annually than all other extreme weather events, including wildfires and flooding.