VALLEY TORMENTED BY HIGH NEAR 110.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Gassing up his car in Valencia on Wednesday was painful for Jason Lange, and it wasn't the $2.62 a gallon he paid. It was the blazing sun.

The afternoon sunshine was painful as the temperature teased the 110-degree mark in the hot, dry and breezy Santa Clarita Valley.

``It's so hot out here it hurts,'' said Lange, visiting from the cooler South Bay and killing time while his kids and their friends frolicked at Six Flags California's Hurricane Harbor. ``I didn't even want to get out of the car.''

The Santa Clarita Aquatic Center was at capacity with a line of moms and kids waiting to get in, Ice Station Valencia attracted loads of summer campers and coffee and juice shops did a brisk blender business.

And while Mother Nature promises some relief today, it won't be much. The National Weather Service forecast calls for highs up to 102, then up to 103 through Monday. Overnight lows will dip to the 60s.

The good and bad news is that the humidity is low. While mugginess makes it feel warmer, dry weather raises the fire danger, according to Los Angeles County firefighters. So far this year, Santa Clarita, soaked by more than 50 inches of rain this winter, has avoided the high fire danger of last July, but it's only a matter of time, fire officials warn.

A few small fires were reported in the area Tuesday - one in the Newhall Pass and one in Castaic - but were quickly doused.

Southern California Edison urged residents to avoid running appliances during the day to conserve energy as air conditioners ran full force. Health officials advised people, particularly the elderly and very young, to remain indoors.