Heat Wave: DWP Urges Angelenos To Conserve Power As Temps Soar

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is urging consumers to conserve power to avoid straining the city's electric grid. The National Weather and Service issued a excessive heat watch for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties from Thursday through Friday evening.

With temperatures that could reach up to 105 degrees in the valley areas, electricity use has gone up dramatically.

"Any time energy demand exceeds this level, we need to begin conserving wherever possible, while not jeopardizing anyone's health or safety,'' DWP Chief Operating Officer Raman Raj said.

The DWP suggests that residents adjust their thermostats to a toasty 78 degrees, limit the use of appliances, avoid cooking during the day, and open windows at night and early morning to improve ventilation.

According to weather service forecaster David Sweet in Oxnard, downtown Los Angeles could see a high of 97 Thursday, with 100 in the foothill community of Pasadena and 104 in Santa Clarita.

"A lot of people a week or two ago were complaining about the colder-than-normal temperatures. Well, they just got their wish," he said.

-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us.