Temperatures in the foothills and canyons zone that includes Beverly Hills and Bel Air are expected to reach the 80s and lower 90s Wednesday, July 8, as a heat wave running 10 to 15 degrees above normal peaks over the Los Angeles region. The National Weather Service flagged "seasonably elevated fire weather conditions" through Thursday in its advisory, raising concern for properties in the brush-covered hills north of Sunset Boulevard.

The NWS issued a heat advisory for non-coastal Los Angeles County areas starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, with a second advisory covering inland areas including downtown Los Angeles taking effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Spencer Fielding, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Oxnard, said a high-pressure system building over the region is driving the heat.

Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day for most areas: mid-80s along the coast, mid-90s to 102°F in the valleys, and 105 to 107°F in the Antelope Valley. Coastal areas may cool a couple of degrees Thursday, July 9, thanks to an earlier sea breeze, but valleys and mountains are expected to see little change.

"While downtown Los Angeles normally sees temperatures in the mid-70s this time of year, the mercury could reach close to 90 this week," Fielding said.

The NWS Area Forecast Discussion issued at 9:18 p.m. Tuesday confirmed moderate heat impacts will continue through Friday as the atmospheric ridge peaks Wednesday and Thursday.

Heat expected to return

NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld warned on Sunday, July 5, that even after temperatures dip this weekend, the pattern is not breaking. "It doesn't seem like we're out of the woods, even if temperatures start to drop after Thursday," Schoenfeld said, noting heat is expected to redevelop by the following week. Some relief may arrive Saturday into Sunday as the ridge breaks down and scattered showers become possible.

What it means for the canyons

No red flag warning has been issued specifically for the Beverly Hills or Bel Air canyon areas as of Tuesday evening. But under California law, the area north of Sunset Boulevard and a few blocks south in Beverly Hills is designated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The Beverly Hills Fire Department conducts annual brush clearance inspections of all properties in the zone beginning each April 1 and identifies flying embers as a home's greatest wildfire risk, noting they can travel miles ahead of a fire front.

During declared "Extreme Fire Weather Conditions," the city restricts parking on certain streets north of Sunset to keep evacuation routes clear and allow firefighting equipment access, according to BHFD program documents. No such declaration has been made for this event, but residents in the zone should be aware the restriction can activate quickly.

For Bel Air and Holmby Hills residents, the LAFD's 2026 Brush Clearance program covers more than 147,000 parcels citywide in the fire hazard zone. Defensible space requirements and parcel status are available at fims.lafd.org.

How to stay safe

The NWS advises residents to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors during peak heat, and check on older neighbors and children. Beverly Hills residents in the fire hazard zone can reach a Fire Prevention Inspector at 310-285-1000.