California prepares for dangerous heatwave ahead of Fourth of July

SACRAMENTO – With temperatures set to exceed 110 degrees throughout much of the state this week, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging Californians to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July. 

The Governor directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center and move into Phase II of its Extreme Temperature Response Plan. This is triggered by National Weather Service (NWS) predictions of excessive heat activity and moves the state into action to coordinate an all-hands response by state government. 

The state has already begun outreach to a network of community organizations to ensure the most vulnerable Californians can access resources like cooling centers. Additionally, the state is enforcing heat protections for outdoor workers. 

Excessive heat warnings and watches are in effect for much of California starting Tuesday through the end of the week and weekend. NWS is forecasting Extreme HeatRisk for many parts of the state, with hot conditions between 105 and 115 degrees for multiple days and little overnight relief. Extreme heat kills more Americans every year than all other extreme weather, including wildfires and flooding.