Firefighters and first responders are taking proactive steps as sweltering heat descends on Southern California this week, hoping to have an advantage due to elevated fire danger.

Temperatures will hit the triple digits in parts of the Southland starting Wednesday, Aug. 20, with the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angleses in the San Fernando Valley hitting 109 F on Thursday, Aug. 21. – according to a National Weather Service forecast.

Severe weather alerts have been issued for most of Southern California in anticipation of the extreme heat and critical fire danger to hit the region on Wednesday.