Heat Chases Many Residents to Beaches

Sweltering heat in the eastern part of the county Saturday drove swarms of land-bound folks to the cool breezy beaches of Ventura.

“We don’t get to the beach too often,” said Don Buck, who with his wife, Carmen, drove from Newbury Park to the San Buenaventura State Beach north of the pier. “The last time we were here, I think it was last year.”

Although no records were broken Saturday, it was plenty warm. The mercury soared to 100 degrees in Fillmore, 97 degrees in Simi Valley, 96 degrees in Ojai and 90 degrees in Thousand Oaks, according to Weather Data Meteorologist Wes Etheredge.

High-pressure heat from Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona is invading parts of Southern California and then pushing down on the land surface, Etheredge said.

No brush fires were reported in the county Saturday, but the county Fire Department will schedule an extra truck for today as a precaution, spokeswoman Colleen Harrison said.

Scorching days are expected to persist through Wednesday, when a storm system from the Gulf of Alaska may start to bring cooler weather, Etheredge said.

Saturday seemed warm even at the coast because of the absence of marine clouds, Etheredge said. Ventura, Oxnard and Point Mugu saw temperatures in the low to mid-80s.

“We have the best conditions here at the beach,” said a tanned Tom Dore, a Ventura-based state lifeguard. “The hot inland air leaves a vacuum for the cold air from the cold water to breeze on through. It’s probably broiling just a few blocks away on Thompson [Boulevard].”

Although the beach was crowded, only one rescue occurred late Saturday afternoon, Dore said. He said he assisted a boy who had been tugged out by a rip current.

The Ziegler family of Simi Valley was among the water lovers seeking a day of enjoyment by the sand and water. For the family members, making the trek to the sea in the summer isn’t so unusual.

“We’re beachers,” said Kim Ziegler, who had several neighbor children in tow along with her own kids.

“That’s ‘cuz it’s better here at the beach than at home,” said her 10-year-old son, Jordan. “At home, all we’d be doing is just sitting inside being hot.”