Hot. Hotter. Not quite hottest, but really really hot.

That’s the forecast for the next week throughout Southern California, as temperatures soar past 100 degrees in many areas. A late-summer heat wave — expected to stretch into the weekend — pushed up temperatures anew on Thursday and raised fears of wildfires in some areas.

The days won’t likely reach “hottest ever” status because the heat wave “is coinciding exactly with the extreme heat wave in 2020, so while we may not break a lot of records with this event, it doesn’t diminish the impacts or lessen the precautions that need to be taken to stay safe,” said the National Weather Service. “Do not do any hiking or other physical activities except very early in the day and even then use extreme caution and stay well-hydrated.”

“All systems go for what will be a dangerously hot stretch of weather through the weekend, and in some areas continuing into next week,” according to NWS forecasters.

The NWS issued an excessive heat warning for much of Southern California’s inland areas through 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. Coastal region have a heat advisory in place through 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6.

In the Inland Empire, temperatures are forecast to reach 112 degrees Friday, Sept. 12, in Riverside and San Bernardino, and 110 in Murrieta and Redlands, according to the National Weather Service.

An excessive heat warning took effect Tuesday morning in the western San Fernando Valley, and it will remain in force until 8 p.m. Saturday — one day longer than originally anticipated. Forecasters said the area could see temperatures reaching as high as 118 degrees.

An excessive heat warning was also in effect through 8 p.m. Saturday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the inland coastal areas stretching into downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, eastern San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, the Antelope Valley and Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors.

Forecasters said those areas could reach 110 degrees.

The Santa Ana Mountains and foothills and Orange County inland areas were also under excessive heat warnings, with temperatures predicted up to 105 degrees.

There won’t be much relief overnight either, low temperatures are forecast to drop into the high 70s.

Even coastal areas will not be immune from the heat. An excessive heat warning will take effect at 11 a.m. Thursday and remain in place until 8 p.m. Saturday for the Malibu Coast and Los Angeles County beaches, along with the Palos Verdes Hills, with some of those areas possibly reaching triple-digits, according to the NWS.

A less severe heat advisory will be in place for Orange County coastal areas from 11 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday. Temperatures there are anticipated as high as 95 degrees.

The combination of high heat and anticipated low humidity prompted the NWS to issue a red flag warning of heightened fire danger for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Mountains, Western Antelope Valley Foothills and the 5 and 14 Freeway corridors until 10 p.m. Saturday.

Forecasters said wind conditions will “limit the potential for classic red flag criteria,” however, “there is a history of large fires with similar weather conditions during this time of the year.”

According to the NWS, humidity levels could drop to between 8 and 15% in the red flag areas, with little recovery during overnight hours. Meanwhile, temperatures will be soaring well into the triple digits.

A cooling trend is expected to begin by Saturday, slowly lowering temperatures over the ensuing days, reaching normal levels by about Wednesday of next week, according to the NWS.

Due to the high heat, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an ozone advisory that will be in place until 8 p.m. Friday due to anticipated elevated smog levels because of the heat wave. The ozone level is expected to reach the unhealthy level or worse in the Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Valley through Friday, according to the AQMD.

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Officials warned the public to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Residents were also urged to never leave children or pets in unattended vehicles, which can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

The hot, dry weather will also create elevated fire conditions across the mountains, valleys and deserts throughout the week.

City News Service contributed to this report