VALLEY SWELTERS AS MERCURY SOARS.

Byline: Brooke Olson Daily News Staff Writer

The umbrellas came out Tuesday, but not to protect San Fernando Valley-area residents from the rain.

Those who braved temperatures in the 90s scrambled for shade beneath trees, awnings and, in Marie Rodriguez's case, a bright-yellow umbrella.

``I forgot to put on sunblock. I don't want any sun touching me,'' the Reseda resident said as she trekked to the grocery store to stock up on cold cuts and drinks.

The heat wave - with smog at the unhealthful level in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys - is expected to build all week, with meteorologists predicting the mercury will rise to the triple digits in the Valley by Friday.

``It will be up around around 100 degrees this weekend, and that will continue well into next week,'' said Gary Ryan, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard. ``Unfortunately, there's no end in sight for . . . that 100-degree temperature.''

A strong ridge of high pressure is responsible, and the heat wave's center - the point at which temperatures are the highest - is moving into Nevada from the east and soon will hit Southern California, Ryan said.

No records were broken Tuesday, as temperatures hit 95 in Chatsworth, 91 in Van Nuys and 94 in Woodland Hills. At the Los Angeles Civic Center, the mercury hit 84.

Still, local readings were mild compared with the weather in Texas, where 22 deaths have been caused by 100-degree-plus temperatures.

``I just got back from visiting Dallas, and this place feels like a haven,'' said 36-year-old Sophie Dawns, who had spend three weeks visiting her mother in the Lone Star State.

``This heat is nothing,'' she added.

If the temperature wasn't bad enough, the air was: Air quality was rated unhealthful, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, based in Diamond Bar.

Businesses such as air-conditioning repair, ice delivery and portable swimming pools received a barrage of phone calls from residents who sought relief from the heat.

``We have lots of repairs going on right now,'' said Pauline Guld, a receptionist for Delta Air Conditioning and Heating Service in Burbank.

Across the Valley, firefighters are prepared for brush fires but say their biggest concern is medical emergencies.

``What we are focusing on now is people who might develop medical problems as a result of the heat,'' said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Fire Department.

The only respite from the heat was provided by the beaches, where temperatures ranged from the mid-70s to lower 80s, according to the National Weather Service.

Lifeguards are expecting a larger-than-usual crowd this weekend if temperatures remain high.

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Photo

PHOTO Joey Dizon, 10, of Van Nuys and his father, Jesse, play a game of tag called ``Marco Polo'' at the Reseda Park pool Tuesday.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News