An extraordinary October heat wave has combined with a growing wildfire to strain Southern California to its limits. About 23,000 customers lost power at the peak from Sunday into Monday as triple-digit temperatures pushed the grid to the edge.
Meanwhile, firefighters worked to contain the 1,048-acre Bouquet Fire burning in Angeles National Forest, which was 48 per cent contained as of Monday morning. San Diego hit 105°F — its first October century mark since 1987 — as the heat dome parked over the region.
Grid operators urged residents to conserve power during peak afternoon hours, while fire officials warned that hot, dry conditions continue to raise wildfire risk across the Southland. The back-to-back extremes are the latest sign of how quickly October can turn dangerous in a warming climate.
