The Morongo Basin is under an extreme heat warning. During hot weather, seniors, infants, young children, and people with chronic health conditions are most vulnerable to health problems and should take extra precautions. Residents should check on elderly family members, neighbors, and friends during extremely hot weather to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Everyone is advised to drink plenty of fluids, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and pace themselves when outside. Limit outdoor activity to early morning or evening hours. Residents can go to cooling centers to get out of the heat, but managing editor Tami Roleff says if it’s Sunday, or you have a pet, you’re pretty much out of luck…
There are cooling centers in the Morongo Basin. In Yucca Valley, the community center is open 9 to 5 Monday through Friday, and the Hi-Desert Nature Center is open Thursday through Saturday 10 to 5. Town offices are open Monday through Thursday 8 to noon and 1 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, the community center will be open Saturday until 2 p.m. and normal hours are 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. 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. The Wonder Valley Community Center will be open 9 to 2 Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In addition, the libraries in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley are open 11 to 7 Monday through Wednesday, Thursday 10 to 6, and Saturday 9 to 5. Other places to get out of the heat are stores, restaurants, and theaters.
