With temperatures well above 100 degrees this weekend, residents can go to cooling centers to get out of the heat. Managing editor Tami Roleff lists where the cooling centers are…
Residents are reminded that pets are vulnerable to high temperatures too. Some signs of heat distress can include heavy panting, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive thirst and vomiting. Take care of indoor and outdoor pets by making sure they have plenty of water and a cool, shady place to rest. Remember, the shade your pets have in the morning will either change or diminish as the sun moves throughout the day and may not protect them. Never leave a pet unattended in vehicles, as temperatures inside the vehicle quickly reach deadly temperatures. Do not let pets stand on sidewalks, hot asphalt or in even in the bed of a truck to avoid burning their paws. There are cooling centers in the Morongo Basin. In Yucca Valley, the Hi-Desert Nature Center is open Thursday through Saturday 10 to 5. In Twentynine Palms, the Senior Center on Adobe Road is a cooling center from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday; if the heat index reaches 115 degrees, the building will remain open. In Joshua Tree, residents can cool off at the splash park, which is open Thursday through Monday 9 to 7. The Hi-Desert Medical Center cafeteria is available as a cooling center every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, the libraries in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley are open Saturday 9 to 5. Other places to get out of the heat are stores, restaurants, and theaters.
