How to stay safe and where to cool down as Fresno’s triple-digit summer heats up

The first major heatwave in Fresno has arrived.

The National Weather Service announced an excessive heat warning from Tuesday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 9, with temperatures reaching as high as 112 degrees. 

These temperatures will affect communities across the central San Joaquin Valley.

“Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,” the NWS said in the warning. “Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

“With the lowest temperatures staying so high, it puts (Fresno) at extreme heat risk,” said Antoinnette Serrato, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.

Luckily for Fresnans, recreational pools, splash pads and cooling centers will be available to help residents stay cool amid the blazing heat.

Where can I go to cool down?

Three cooling centers will be open from noon – 8 p.m. on days when temperatures reach and surpass 105, which is throughout the excessive heat warning. The centers are located at:

• Ted C Wills Community Center, 770 N San Pablo Ave.
• Mosqueda Community Center, 4670 E Butler Ave.
• Maxie L Parks Community Center, 1802 E California Ave.

Though some city services will be closed for the July 4th holiday, the city’s PARCS office confirmed that the cooling centers will remain open.

Fresno Area Express (FAX) buses will also be providing free rides to and from the cooling centers. All you need to do is let the bus driver know you want to go to the nearest cooling center. Seating and cool water will be provided.

Splash pads are currently open daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

• Dickey Playground – 50 N. Calaveras St.
• Figarden Loop Park – 4265 W. Figarden Dr.
• Inspiration Park – 5770 W. Gettysburg Ave.
• Martin Ray Reilly Park – 750 N. Chestnut Ave.
• Melody Park – 5935 E Shields Ave.
• Mosqueda Community Center – 4670 E. Butler Ave.
• Todd Beamer Park – 1890 E. Plymouth Way
• Vinland Park – 4695 E. Gettysburg Ave.

An additional splash pad is set to open soon at Fink White Park.

Public pools will open on June 10. They will remain open until Aug. 11 and will operate from 1 p.m. through 5 p.m. daily.

• Frank H. Ball – 760 Mayor Ave.
• Mary Ella Brown – 1350 E Annadale Ave.
• Mosqueda – 4670 E Butler Ave.
• Einstein Park – 3566 E Dakota Ave.
• Quigley – 808 W Dakota Ave.
• Romain – 745 N First St.
• Lafayette – 1516 E Princeton Ave.
• Sunset – 1345 W Eden Ave.

Additionally, pools at Edison, McLane, Hoover, Roosevelt, and Fresno High are set to open on June 15 and be available on Saturdays and Sundays from noon – 5 p.m.

Libraries in and around Fresno also provide water fountains and a cool space for residents to find solace during the summer.

An interactive map of the county’s cooling centers, splash pads, pools and libraries along with nearby bus routes can be found here.

How to stay safe in the heat

Fresno County advises residents to wear light clothing, stay hydrated and to stay indoors during spells of extreme heat.

“Extreme Heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards,” wrote the county on their official website regarding extreme heat. “In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion can be especially dangerous and can lead to brain damage, organ damage. They report that 1,220 Americans die annually from extreme heat.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises people to look out for signs of heat illnesses. These include:

• Heat cramps: muscle pain and spasms in legs, stomach or legs.
• Heat exhaustion: headache, fainting, nausea, paleness, weakness and heavy sweating.
• Heat stroke: Body temperatures above 103 F indicated through oral thermometer, fast pulse, dry, red skin with no sweat, dizziness and confusion.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, move to a cooler location, seek shelter from the sun and call 911 if more serious symptoms develop.