Over two dozen people needed rescuing, mostly from hiking trails, during Southern California’s “mini heat wave” this weekend.
Temperatures climbed to record levels, especially on Saturday, possibly taking some outdoor explorers by surprise.
According to officials and a report by the Los Angeles Times, Saturday alone saw 15 heat-related rescues in Orange County and nine in Riverside County. One of the rescues was caught on video by the O.C. Fire Authority, viewable above.
“Over a dozen people have been rescued collectively,” the OCFA said in a Facebook post before 2 p.m. on Saturday. “According to the National Weather Service, it’s currently 96° F in Aliso Viejo.”
The same day, crews with the Los Angeles Fire Department airlifted a 55-year-old hiker suffering from heat exhaustion on a trail next to the Hollywood sign.
With temperatures hitting record highs like 104 in Riverside, 103 in Woodland Hills and 98 in Anaheim, county leaders asked the public to stay cautious and hydrated, especially while spending time outside.
“Unless you’re an experienced hiker/rider in this terrain and weather, we recommend waiting until it cools down,” continued the OCFA’s post. “If you do head out, please bring plenty of hydration with you.”
In his Mother’s Day forecast, however, KTLA’s Kaj Goldberg said that this mini heat wave will subside in time for the work week, when temperatures will dip across much of SoCal.
Although temperatures were still above normal, Goldberg said Sunday saw some lower numbers and no record-breaking heat.
