A widespread heat wave is expected to intensify fire concerns across California as temperatures rise and landscapes further dry out. The Gifford, Rosa and Gold fires are burning.

California is forecast to begin August the same way July ended: mild, at least relative to recent summers. But that cooler-than-normal weather isn't expected to stick around.

A heat wave is predicted to begin this Wednesday and run through Saturday. It is expected to peak on Thursday with some areas reaching temperatures in the triple digits. The cause is a high-pressure system,