As Temperatures Soar, Another Flex Alert is Called

With temperatures expected to soar into the triple digits in Arcadia and the San Gabriel Valley, the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's power grid, announced another Flex Alert for Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Residents are asked to conserve power between those hours.

“The ISO thanks consumers for their tremendous conservation efforts during last Friday’s Flex Alert,” Stephanie McCorkle, ISO spokeswoman said through a news release. “Nearly 1,000 megawatts in energy reduction helped maintain grid reliability. The level of conservation is equal to the output of two large power plants.”

Temperatures in valley and mountain areas of the Southland were again expected to reach dangerous "excessive heat" levels today, fall marginally during the week and rise anew next weekend, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Cal-ISO did not issue a flex alert today but still urged residents to cut back on power use, particularly through 6 p.m.

Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offered a series of tips to help customers cut back on power usage, including:

• Setting thermostats no lower than 78 degrees
• Limiting the use of appliances during peak hours, and using washing machines, dishwashers and other heavy appliances only in the evening
• Closing drapes and blinds to keep rooms cool
• Ventilating homes at night and in the early morning to allow cool air to circulate
• Limiting the opening of refrigerators
• Turning off lights in unoccupied areas
• Relying on ceiling or smaller fans to cool rooms instead of air conditioners.