A landscaper drinks water in temperatures that have reached well above triple digits in Palm Springs.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Forecasts for more scorching heat and monsoon moisture brought calls for Californians to conserve electricity Wednesday, and warnings that lightning, thunderstorm winds and parched vegetation were a recipe for wildfires.
The heat wave was expected to be most extreme in the state's interior, chiefly the Central Valley where some locations hit 110 degrees (43.3 Celsius) on Tuesday, while the wildfire risk was focused on northern counties.
The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's power grid, called for voluntary electricity conservation from 4-9 p.m., when it said most people return home and switch on air conditioners, turn on lights, and use appliances. Late afternoon through early evening is the period when the grid is most stressed due to high demand while solar energy production is decreasing.
Officials asked for voluntary power conservation to prevent the power shutoffs seen in previous years.
Pacific Gas & Electric last year turned off power to about 37,000 people in central and northern California as high winds toppled trees, downed power lines and ignited fires that forced people to flee from their homes.
On Wednesday, red flag warnings for fire danger were posted for the northern Coast Range, eastern Shasta County and the Mount Lassen area.
The National Weather Service warned of the possibility of "abundant lightning" and erratic gusts from thunderstorms.
"Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity," the weather service said.
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