safety
Heat and a chance of thunderstorms: A look at LA’s elevated fire risk this week
By Maya Mukherjee at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
Visitors walk on a pathway amid fields of blooming flowers at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Monday.(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)A chance of dry lightning and thunderstorms could increase fire risk across the region as this week’s heat lingers, according to the Nationa...
Key takeaway The Antelope and Cuyama valleys could see temperatures as high as 106 degrees.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The elevated fire risk across LA County this week is a pressing concern for residents, particularly those living in the L.A. County Mountains and Antelope Valley. With temperatures expected to soar as high as 106 degrees, the risk of heat-related illness is also a major worry, prompting the L.A. County Department of Public Health to issue a Heat Advisory. The potential for dry lightning and thunderstorms, albeit low at 5% to 15%, adds to the complexity of the situation, as it could bring erratic winds and increased fire risk. For communities still reeling from the warehouse fire, the possibility of shifting winds spreading smoke to other areas is a significant concern. Air quality officials have already extended a particle pollution advisory to Wednesday, underscoring the need for residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their properties from the dual threats of heat and fire.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? Visitors walk on a pathway amid fields of blooming flowers at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve on Monday.(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)A chance of dry lightning and thunderstorms could increase fire risk across the region as this week’s heat lingers, according to the Nationa...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Maya Mukherjee at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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