Jul 11, 2002 By Stefanie Frith Associated Press Writer 3 min read

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Record temperatures are searing parts of the West, with triple-digit readings in California, and meteorologists say there’s more sweating to come. The heat has boosted the fire danger and prompted state officials on Wednesday to warn that a Stage 2 power alert was likely. A Stage 2 alert would call on large industrial and commercial users to cut their consumption to keep millions of air conditioners humming.

Residents of more than a dozen cities endured record highs on Tuesday, including 112 at Lancaster; 109 at Sacramento; 106 at Medford, Ore., 103 at Grand Junction, Colo., 102 at Reno, Nev.; and 84 at Quillayute, Wash. Non-record readings included 114 at Needles.

The heat is likely to continue through Friday.

“Looks like Wednesday’s going to be the hottest day in this heat wave,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Ken Newman in Monterey. “Another scorcher.”

Wednesday’s forecast high for Reno, elevation 4,500 feet, was 107, which would be an all-time record, the National Weather Service said.

But, as they say in Arizona, it’s a dry heat.

“I’d rather have 105 degrees in Reno than 100 in Washington D.C.,” said weather service meteorologist Gary Barbato. “They have all that humidity …”

Deliveryman Mark Gillaspy had to lug 6-gallon water jugs through the heat to his customers Tuesday in Fresno.

“The hotter it is, the harder I have to work,” Gillaspy said. “And the more patience I have to find within myself, or ask myself how stupid I am for doing this job.”

Temperatures climbed well above 100 in Baker, a stop on the route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, but residents are accustomed to heat in the desert city.

“It will get hotter,” said Reynaldo Dominguez, a waiter. “It usually gets up to 120 degrees during the summer.”

The high demand for electricity to run air conditioners was compounded Tuesday by power plant breakdowns that shut down enough generating capacity to power more than 1.6 million homes.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s power grid, declared a Stage 1 power alert, meaning it had less than a 7 percent reserve of electricity. Rolling blackouts could be declared if a Stage 3 alert is reached.

“We’re looking at a challenging week,” said ISO spokesman Gregg Fishman.

In Oakland’s fire-prone hills, officials asked residents to stop opening fire hydrants to cool off, noting there had been three grass fires in two days.

Near Santa Clarita, a northern suburb of Los Angeles, a 60-acre wildfire that burned dangerously close to homes was contained, but firefighters continue to keep close watch, fearing the heat and wind could kick up the flames again.

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On the Net:

ISO electricity monitor: http://www.caiso.com/SystemStatus.html

National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov