More than half a year removed from the devastating wildfires that tore through parts of the Los Angeles area, public officials say they aren't taking chances as fire chances soar amid a scorching heat wave expected later this week.

In a news conference on Tuesday, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said the city needs to be prepared.

"We know how quickly fires can start and spread," she said. "The city stands ready to respond in case of any wildfire threat."

The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch to go into effect between Thursday morning and Saturday evening amid what it described as "dangerous fire weather." The conditions, between triple-degree temperatures and low humidity, make it ripe for potential wildfires, the agency says. The watch, notably, isn't in effect within the c

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