County issues heat warning

Ramona Airport registered a temperature of 97 Wednesday at 12:53 p.m., and it’s expected to get hotter.

County health officials are warning the public to take precautions to avoid heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.

“Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause serious health problems,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer. “Doing too much on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun, or staying too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, exhaustion and cramps.”

To avoid heat-related problems, health officials recommend the following:

• Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing

• Drink plenty of water often, avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, and don’t wait until you are thirsty

• Never leave a child or pet unattended in a car

•Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities outside during the hottest part of the day

•Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and wear a wide-brim hat if you need to be in the sun

An extremely high body temperature (103 or higher), dizziness, nausea, confusion, and headache are signs of heat stroke or exhaustion.

If you see these signs, have someone call 9-1-1 while you begin cooling the victim by:

•Getting the victim to a shaded area

•Immersing the victim in a tub of cool water, cool shower or spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose

• Do not give the victim fluids to drink

Elderly people, especially 65 years and older, infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress. Neighbors of the elderly, especially those living alone, should check on their well-being.

If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, go to a public place such as the library or senior center, which are designated cool zones. Ramona Library is at 1275 Main St. and Ramona Senior Center is in the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.

Torrid conditions are expected in San Diego County Wednesday, especially in the desert areas, where an excessive heat warning is scheduled to take effect in the afternoon.

The National Weather Service scheduled the warning from noon Wednesday to 8 p.m. Friday, advising daytime highs in the desert areas will range between 112 and 118 degrees.

“The combination of hot days and warm nights will make it difficult for those without air conditioning to keep cool,” a NWS advisory read. “Excessive heat can be stressful on humans and animals without proper precautions. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day.”

Elsewhere in the county, temperatures will soar up to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year, the Weather Service said. It said there’s a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms over the mountains and upper deserts Wednesday.