Heat wave breaks local all-time record

Sacramento County and much of Northern California continues to be amidst one its longest, hottest heat waves in history and it looks as if it will continue until the end of the week.On Tuesday, the Sacramento area destroyed its all-time record for heat. Areas of Sacramento County hit 116 degress by late afternoon. The high number was recorded in downtown late Tuesday afternoon. The previous all-time record for Sacramento was 114 degrees recorded on July 17, 1925.While Tuesday may have been the hottest day in the current heat wave, triple digit temperatures are slated until the end of the week. Wednesday a high temperature of 108 was expected. Thursday the mercury will creep higher to 111 degrees before it drops to 107 on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.A California Flex Alert remains in effect until the end of the week. Residents are advised to make use of the cooler morning hours for any strenuous activities and try to limit your outdoor exposure between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, power conservation should take place from 4 p.m until 9 p.m. the next three days to help reduce stress on California's power grid and avoid rolling blackouts.The Sacramento County Division of Public Health and Office of Emergency Services in a release Wednesday that it recommends outdoor events between noon to 8 p.m. from Saturday to Tuesday be canceled.This includes youth sports, community gatherings, parades, marches or any events that could involve children, older adults, or any people with compromised immune systems that may be sensitive to the heat. The high temperatures have area fire agencies on high alert as fire danger is at an all-time high. The high temperatures continue to dry fuels even more, creating a hazardous situation should a fire ignite."With the conditions being so hot, we are on edge," said Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Parker Wilbourn. "Sometimes it just takes that small spark, whether it be from a barbecue or a chain hitting the ground from a trailer or any open flame at a campsite, a small spark can create a very large wildfire that threatens our communities and threatens our homes."There is hope for cooler temperatures by the weekend. The 5-day forecast reports that a dose of tropical moisture will arrive up from the south that is expected to bring temperatures closer average for this time of year. The weekend forecast shows temperatures in the low 90's Friday through Monday before dropping into the 80's next week.