LA Firefighters Brace For Calls, Fires As Heat Wave Escalates
PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters across the southland are bracing for an increase in heat-related emergency calls and escalated fire danger as already-hot temperatures are expected to get even hotter.
Pasadena City Firefighters received multiple calls Wednesday, many of which were already heat-related.
"A minor heat-related condition can turn serious, if not fatal, within minutes," Pasadena Fire Dept.'s Lisa Derderian said.
Southern California residents are preparing for several days of searing heat over the next few days, and some are trying to plan properly.
Laurie Schroeder of Glendale walks her dogs at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and says she will be going about doing it a little differently through the intense heat.
"They still have to get out, so you just have to wait until it cools down a little bit," Schroeder said. "Indoors (they get) air conditioning (and) lots of water, and then I bring them out at night."
Pasadena firefighters have likewise made preparations, dropping eight tons of flame retardant around the Rose Bowl.
"We're getting calls already of fireworks activity, and it doesn't take much, even a sparkler can reach 1200 degrees," Derderian said.
Fire officials want to remind parents to keep kids hydrated through the scorching temperatures.
"Running through sprinklers, sitting near a fountain just to cool off, is not going to be the same," Derderian said. "It's not the same as it was in the past."
