The plan focuses on historically underserved communities and neighborhoods where heat is particularly burdensome on residents. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Feb. 3 to adopt and implement the County Heat Action Plan, a blueprint that outlines the county’s response to rising temperatures and extreme heat events.

Extreme heat is among the biggest weather-related hazards, contributing to more than 200 deaths annually in L.A. County. More frequent extreme-heat days – a byproduct of ongoing climate change – exacerbate health risks, economic burdens and infrastructure strain, especially in historically underserved communities.  The motion was authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, 1st District, who serves as board chair, and coauthored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District.

“The County Heat Action Plan is not just a blueprint – it’s a commitment to support Angelenos as we navigate a rising trend in extreme heat events,” Solis said. “Now more than ever, the actions we take today to protect our residents will ensure we create cooler and healthier neighborhoods in the future, while advancing heat resilience.”

The L.A. County Chief Sustainability Office developed the County Heat Action Plan to help neighborhoods, infrastructure and ecosystems stay cool, with a focus on cooling outdoor space, heat-resilient indoor spaces and public education on heat safety.

“The County Heat Action Plan is a call to action. Its success depends on county departments, unincorporated communities, cities and regional and community stakeholders working together to advance heat resilience,” Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath said. “I invite all of our partners to use the County Heat Action Plan as a shared blueprint for building a cooler, healthier and more equitable Los Angeles County.”

“The County Heat Action Plan will protect residents who are already bearing the brunt of rising temperatures, limited shade and inadequate home cooling,” Horvath added. “This plan builds on our first-in-the-nation tenant protections from extreme heat and prioritizes the physical and social infrastructure necessary to adapt to our changing climate.”

The approved motion also directs the CSO to align the county’s local, state and federal legislative agenda with the plan’s priorities, including support for funding and policies that safeguard vulnerable communities from extreme heat.

For information, visit cso.lacounty.gov/ourcounty-plan/cso-current-initiatives/county-heat-action-plan.