Sitting on the grass and leaning against a wall that provided them with a bit of shade, Tomás Tirso and Honorato Miramontes, from Zacatecas, took a break and, at the same time, had lunch under a temperature of over 80 degrees.

Tomás, with more than 25 years of construction experience, and Honorato know how important it is to protect your health and integrity when you have to work outdoors, especially in extreme heat conditions.

“I recommend people drink a lot of water,” he said. “By law, workers can take a 10- to 15-minute break when the heat gets worse.”

Honorato Miramontes also emphasizes the need for protection and mandatory rest to avoid heat exhaustion. Both carry enough water to drink during the work day and protect their heads with a helmet.

“These measures are essential to prevent workplace accidents,” he said, knowing about the dangerous heat wave that arrives this week in Southern California.

“Indeed, temperatures will gradually increase over the next few days and will reach their peak on Wednesday and Thursday,” Carol Ciliberti, an expert from the National Weather Service (NWS), told La Opinión.

What awaits us

“We have issued an extreme heat warning effective Tuesday through Thursday,” Ciliberti said. “Wednesday would be the hottest day, with a high of 93°F in downtown Los Angeles.”

Ciliberti predicted that the heat could begin to drop, starting Thursday, before settling down to more normal levels for the summer season, heading into next weekend.

The expert highlighted the dangers of working outdoors in these conditions.

“It is a very dangerous situation; an extreme heat alert basically means that it is very difficult to cool down,” he said. “People working during the hottest hours are at considerable risk from these unusually high temperatures.”

He emphasized that, although the situation will not be as serious as in inland areas, people who live in the city are not used to this type of climate, so he recommended taking certain precautions: taking breaks in the shade, wearing light-colored clothing and being aware of each other.

“If you work as a team, it is important to monitor how others are doing and try to take frequent breaks,” he advised. “And, if someone starts to feel bad, you have to find a way to take them to a place with air conditioning.

Likewise, it strongly recommended that those traveling with children or pets not leave them inside the vehicles, even with the air conditioning on.

They avoid heat embarrassment

Near Boyle Street and César Chávez Avenue, Yolanda Ruiz, 63, set up an umbrella for her stand selling tamales, champurrado, orange juice and burritos.

“I can't drink a lot of water because of an illness I have, but I cover my head with a hat so I don't get heat stroke,” he said.

To one side of her, Mrs. Delia Salgado, a seller of pineapple and strawberry empanadas, café de pot, and green bean and egg burritos, among other items, also protected herself with a giant umbrella.

“You feel the heat,” he said.

Heat flush is the feeling of suffocation, heaviness and suffocation in the environment.

The NWS expert added that, although the risks for those who work outdoors are real, everyone needs to have plenty of water on hand and that the ideal is to carry a portable cooler with ice to have very cold water, and perhaps a drink like Gatorade or something that replenishes electrolytes.

"They should try to wear light, loose clothing and, definitely, hats. It is essential to take frequent breaks in the shade and, if possible, schedule the heaviest tasks for early in the morning or towards the end of the afternoon, when it starts to cool down," he reported.

Maria de Aquino wore loose-fitting, athletic clothing while working out at historic Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights.

“I try to come when the sun's rays have gone down,” said the 39-year-old housewife. “I come to exercise every day and I walk around the park four times; I also like to look at the lake and the ducks,”

After doing his routine in the park, he pointed out that at home he turns on the fan for a short time, “because then the bill [the invoice] arrives very expensive.”

In that same place, 24-year-old Víctor Serrano took his regular walk.

“My goal is to lose weight; it has been difficult, but I know I will achieve it,” he stressed.

For his part, Richard Navarrete, who defined himself as “a 64-year-old young man,” was walking with his two Chihuahua dogs, “Sister,” five years old, and “Baby,” seven years old.

“It's not very hot yet,” he said when it was 12:00 noon and the thermometer read 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The person who also works on the street every day is Celia Anaya from Puebla, owner of “Cecy’s Fruits”, whose business selling chopped fruit is located near Soto Avenue and César Chávez Boulevard.

“Today is half cloudy, but the day feels hot,” said the street vendor, whose son Roberto, 11, helps her wash the fruit and carry the ice packs to keep the coconuts, watermelons and pineapples fresh. “I always try to stay hydrated, because the heat is sometimes harsh.”

Los Angeles County Public Health Advice

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) recommends finding places with air conditioning during peak heat hours and drinking water constantly. Avoid direct sun between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and don't rely solely on fans to cool you down.

To protect yourself from high temperatures and avoid conditions such as heat stroke, the county suggests following these measures:

To find a cooling center near you immediately or request additional assistance, you can call the toll-free helpline by dialing 2-1-1 or go to the portal www.Ready LA County

Meteorologists' predictions

A less severe heat advisory is in effect until Thursday at 8 p.m. m. for the beaches of Los Angeles County and the hills of Palos Verdes; However, some of those coastal areas could see temperatures between 85 and 105 degrees (approx. 29 to 40 ° C), being “higher on Wednesday and in inland areas,” according to the NWS.

Forecasters also noted that the “combination of warm and moderately dry conditions with gusty winds from the sea” was creating a high fire risk inland, and that “critical fire risk conditions” were possible on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning in those areas.

An extreme heat warning will also be issued for inland areas of Orange County starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. m. until Thursday at 8 p.m. m., while during the same period there will be a heat warning for the coastal areas of said county.

High temperatures are expected to reach triple digits (100 degrees or higher) in parts of the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys on Wednesday and Thursday, with Wednesday likely to see the highest temperatures.

Forecasters predict highs of 87 and 91 degrees (approx. 30 and 33 ° C) in central Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday. In Lancaster, high temperatures will reach 103 and 100 degrees, while in Van Nuys highs of 101 and 95 degrees are expected mid-week.

Overnight low temperatures will generally range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, staying around 75 degrees in the Antelope Valley.

The National Weather Service (NWS) added that monsoon humidity will increase the feeling of discomfort, bringing with it the possibility of showers and thunderstorms each day, with greater likelihood in mountainous areas.