Full Notification

Lancaster, CA. September 4, 2020 -- An excessive heat warning has been issued in the Antelope Valley and other parts of Los Angeles County. Temperatures are expected to rise into the triple digits beginning on Saturday, September 5th through Labor Day on Monday, September 7th. The community is urged to take safety precautions and to conserve energy as much as possible.

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation between the hours of 3 p.m.and 9 p.m.

Labor Day weekend temperatures are forecasted 10-20 degrees above normal for California, and the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand. Overnight temperatures statewide are projected to be at least 10 degrees higher than normal, which does not allow infrastructure to cool down.

The community can actively help to conserve energy, prevent electric service interruptions, and avoid more serious system emergencies by pre-cooling their homes at 72 degrees overnight and in the early morning hours and setting the air conditioner at 78 degrees or higher during the day between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Consumers can also avoid major appliance use, turn off any unnecessary lights, unplug unused electrical devices, close blinds and drapes, use fans when possible and limit the time the refrigerator door is open.

Also, in response to the excessive heat warning, the City of Lancaster’s downtown Cooling Center, located at the Lancaster Museum of Art and History (MOAH), will remain open. These centers provide members of the public who lack air conditioning at home with relief from the heat, free of charge.

Located at 665 W. Lancaster Blvd in MOAH’s Hernando and Fran Marroquin room on the first floor, the City’s Cooling Center is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Face coverings and physical distancing are required. For a full list of cooling centers open throughout LA County, please visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat.

The City encourages the community to always take proper precautions in order to remain healthy during the intense hot weather. The recommendations below can help to prevent heat exhaustion, heat strokes or other heat-related illnesses.

• Avoid the sun – stay indoors from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest.
• Drink plenty of fluids – 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat.
• Replace salt and minerals – sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside. Avoid alcohol.
• Pace yourself – reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours.
• Wear appropriate clothing – wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors.
• Stay cool indoors during peak hours – If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and/or visit a County Emergency Cooling Center.
• Monitor those at high risk – check on elderly neighbors, family members and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old, people who overexert during work (e.g. construction workers) and people 65 years and older are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.
• Keep pets indoors – heat also affects pets. If they will be outside, make sure they have plenty of water and a shaded area to help them keep cool.

Instructions:

Excessive Heat Warning Through Labor Day Calls for Safety Measures and An Energy Conservation Flex Alert