Trying to beat California’s punishing heat wave with a day at the beach? Health officials say it may be best to stay out of the ocean.
Los Angeles County health authorities are urging visitors to avoid swimming, surfing and other contact with ocean water at several well-known beaches after testing detected bacteria levels above state safety limits.
The elevated contamination could raise the risk of illness, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said.
The advisories cover sections of Santa Monica Beach, Paradise Cove, Redondo Beach, Venice Beach, Topanga County Beach and Manhattan Beach.
The restricted areas vary by site, ranging from roughly 100 yards of coastline to the full designated swimming zone.
The beach warnings arrive as a severe heat wave grips California, with temperatures forecast to stay well above normal for several more days.
On Friday, the National Weather Service issued heat advisories from Southern California across Central California and into the Bay Area. Forecasters said the oppressive conditions could continue into October.
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Some forecasts suggest the heat may persist through mid-October, creating an unusually prolonged spell of extreme weather across the Golden State.
The National Weather Service attributed part of the persistent warmth to a strong El Niño pattern and warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures.
That combination may send Californians searching for relief, even as health officials advise people at several beaches to avoid the water.
The warning does not apply to every beach in the county.
Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach and Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro were removed from the advisory list after new samples showed bacteria levels had fallen back within state health standards.
Other heavily visited beaches, however, continue to face concerns.
Heal the Bay assigned Redondo Beach and the area around the Manhattan Beach Pier an “F” on its Beach Report Card. As of Friday afternoon, Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach held a “C” rating.