Sizzling heat wave hits SoCal during 'June Gloom'

LOS ANGELES - Usually this month, Southern California is locked under a heavy cloud cover we commonly call "June Gloom."

But not this week. Temperatures soared and humidity dropped, creating a fire danger. It felt like a day in August.

My crew and I are started out this morning near the Hollywood Bowl, where a spot fire scorched a couple of acres.

Get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.

LA City Fire was all over it. It grew close to homes. But firefighters quickly extinguished it. Fortunately, no injuries or damage there.

From there, we went west. The Coldwater Canyon Park in Beverly Hills is a favorite for young families. The playground remains closed due to COVID 19, but the park is open.

Families sat on blankets enjoying lunch, while the kids dipped their toes into the water. These days moms and dads are resourceful looking for ways to keep their kids entertained during a pandemic. With temperatures into the 90's, squirt guns and squeals were a welcome change from the quarantine.

And for the really intrepid outdoor enthusiast, there was Eaton Canyon Trail, where you hike to a forty foot-foot waterfall, with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. The hike is relatively easy.

But the heat? Not so much today. It was downright punishing! The only hitch?

You have to make a reservation to hit the hiking trail. The park was overrun at Memorial Day, so the reservation system was implemented, for safe distancing.

Hikers today told me it was easy to make an online reservation. And even though it was hot-- they were so happy to be outdoors. Seems everyone has a bit of cabin fever during this pandemic year.