Extreme Heat Warnings Issued for Southern California Amid Wildfires in Indonesia
The National Weather Service in the US has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of southern California, including Los Angeles, until Thursday. The warnings are due to the forecast high temperatures expected to reach the high 30s Celsius this week.
Burbank, a suburb north of Los Angeles, recorded a scorching 39°C on Saturday, just a few degrees shy of the October record for the region set in 1987. A persistent area of high pressure is expected to remain in place, leading to further hazardous hot weather and increased fire risk.
Meanwhile, parts of Indonesia are experiencing the extreme effects of an ongoing wildfire season, which has peaked over the past month. Western Kalimantan (Borneo) and southern Sumatra have been particularly hard-hit. The lack of rainfall has dried the typically water-logged tropical soils, enabling fires to spread quickly, both above and below the surface.
Indonesia's soils are also extremely rich in peat, meaning that the smoke produced from the fires contains higher levels of toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. This has led to reduced air quality in surrounding areas, including cities in Malaysia and Singapore.
Drought and wildfires are more common in this part of the world during El Niño events due to suppressed thunderstorm activity.
Air Quality Worries in Malaysia and Singapore
- Temperatures in southern California are expected to reach the high 30s Celsius this week, leading to extreme heat warnings.
- Wildfires in Indonesia have caused reduced air quality in neighboring cities, including Malaysia and Singapore.
As the ongoing wildfire season in Indonesia rages on, the smoke from the fires has caused concerns for air quality in nearby areas. The lack of rainfall has led to dry conditions, making it easier for the fires to spread, both above and below the surface.
Indonesia's soils are particularly rich in peat, which contributes to the higher levels of toxic gases like sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in the smoke from the fires.
The reduced air quality in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Singapore has caused concerns for residents and visitors alike.
El Niño-Induced Drought and Wildfires in Indonesia
- Temperatures in southern California are expected to reach the high 30s Celsius this week, leading to extreme heat warnings.
- Wildfires in Indonesia are causing reduced air quality in neighboring cities, including Malaysia and Singapore.
Drought conditions in Indonesia, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, have led to the ongoing wildfire season in the region. The lack of rainfall has dried out the soil, making it easier for the fires to spread, both above and below the surface.
Indonesia's peat-rich soils contribute to the higher levels of toxic gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide found in the smoke from the fires.
The poor air quality in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Singapore have raised concerns for residents and visitors alike.
Drought and Wildfires in Indonesia Impact Air Quality
- Temperatures in southern California are expected to reach the high 30s Celsius this week, leading to extreme heat warnings.
- Indonesia is experiencing an ongoing wildfire season due to drought conditions exacerbated by El Niño, causing reduced air quality in nearby cities, including Malaysia and Singapore.
The dry conditions in Indonesia, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, have led to the ongoing wildfire season in the region. The lack of rainfall has dried out the soil, making it easier for the fires to spread, both above and below the surface.
Indonesia's peat-rich soils contribute to the higher levels of toxic gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide found in the smoke from the fires.
The poor air quality in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Singapore has raised concerns for residents and visitors alike.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>