Big Sur, Goleta fires may get relief from weekend weather
Forecasters predict mild conditions and sustained humidity over Fourth of July holiday.
As fires rage on in Big Sur, Goleta and elsewhere, officials said mild weather conditions in Southern California may help firefighters here during the long Fourth of July weekend.
Eric Boldt, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said weather this Fourth of July weekend poses modest danger for fire. Even though it will be warm and dry, he said he expects humidity to remain above critical levels and for wind to remain calm.
Forecasters predict sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-80s through the weekend in Los Angeles, temperatures in the high 90s in the inland valleys and the mid-70s along the coast. Temperatures in Palm Springs will top 100.
Despite the forecast, fire officials said they will be on guard this weekend -- particularly because fireworks can start brush fires.
Gerald Travens, inspector with the Los Angeles Fire Department bureau of fire prevention and public safety, said June was exceptionally hot and dry, further drying already parched brush.
In Ventura County, brush is at "historically low levels" in terms of moisture for this time of year, heightening concerns, said county Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash.
Smoke from fireworks can increase the level of particulates in the air by four to five times for up to 24 hours, said Joe Cassmassi, a meteorologist at the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Given the options -- hotter temperatures but clearer skies or cooler temperatures and bad air -- Boldt said the choice is obvious: "I think I'd prefer hotter temperatures."
