High temperatures and little rain can spell danger through the summer months but precautions can be taken to help avoid a bad situation.
We spoke with Harmony Fire District Chief Scott Garing. He says even though we have seen some hard, brief rainstorms over the past several days, damaging fires are still easily started. Garing was talking about how everything, meaning grass and brush, is dead with the little rainfall we’ve had. He said, “Anything you put a flame to is going to ignite. Don’t be burning brush. Don’t be burning trash. Don’t be having unattended campfires. Everything need to be calculated and very controlled.”
In addition to delaying fires or exercising extreme care with burning, the hot summer weather we have been having can also be a time of danger for the effects of heat on the human body.
We also talk with Chief Garing about exertion in a hot environment. He says spending a long time in the heat can result in heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Garing recommends staying hydrated and paying attention to early symptoms. He says, “You can sweat out your entire reserve pretty quick while doing some kind of minor to moderate physical activity. Just by going outside in these conditions, you are sweating. You need to monitor yourself of any changes which can include a headache, dizziness, blurred vision, pale, flush…anything like that.”
Those who do not have an air conditioned environment to access should be checked on regularly by family, friends, or neighbors who do.
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#dry
#weather
#heatexhaustion
