Cooling centers remain open as heat expected to rage through weekend in LA County

As potentially dangerous heat rages into its third straight weekend, officials will be keeping cooling centers open — and adding new options to stay safe amid the swelter.

And for apparently the first time this summer, even typically temperate Long Beach has opened cooling centers.

That city’s health department announced on Friday morning, July 28, that Long Beach’s community centers and public library branches are available as designated cooling centers during normal business hours. Folks can find the closest cooling centers in Long Beach at longbeach.gov/CoolingCenters.

“With rising summer temperatures, some exceeding high heat index, City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis reminds residents to take precautions against the heat,” Long Beach’s press release said. “The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.”

As of midday Friday, it was 77 degrees in Long Beach, with a heat index two degrees warmer. The high for Saturday is 83, which is relatively hot for the coastal city.

Other parts of the Southland, though, will have it much worse, with triple-digit temperatures expected to again bake much of the region as a high-pressure system continue to drive up temperatures to potentially record-setting and possibly dangerous levels.

“High pressure aloft over the region will keep a very warm air mass in place through the end of the week,” according to the National Weather Service. “A shallow marine intrusion will keep temperatures closer to normal across the coastal areas, and continue a return of at least patchy low clouds and fog each night and morning.”

Midweek, the NWS issued a heat advisory through Friday night for the Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.

Forecasters said daytime temperatures in those areas could reach as high as 105 in the mountains and up to nearly 108 in the valleys, with overnight temperatures in the 60s and 70s, but up to the 80s in the foothills.

“Hot conditions will increase the risk for heat-related illness for sensitive populations, including the very young, the very old, and those active outdoors,” according to the NWS. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.”

The City of Los Angeles on Friday announced extended hours at five cooling centers, while L.A. County opened several additional places for people to seek refuge from torrid temperatures.

The city’s Department of Recreation and Parks said cooling centers at these locations will be open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.:

• Fred Roberts Recreation Center, 4700 Honduras St., Los Angeles, 323-234-8650.
• Highland Park Recreation Center, 6150 Piedmont Ave., Los Angeles, 213-847-4876.
• Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace, 818-899-8087.
• Mid Valley Senior Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City, 818-892-0892.
• Shadow Ranch Recreation Center, 22633 Vanowen St., West Hills, 818-883-3637.

In addition, all Recreation and Parks facilities can be used as cooling centers during normal operating hours, the agency said.

A complete list of city cooling centers, with locations and hours of operation, can be found at https://emergency.lacity.gov/la-responds/heat.

In the city of San Fernando, a cooling center is open at Las Palmas Park at 505 S. Huntington St., San Fernando, 818-898-7340. It operates daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. when temperature passes 100 degrees.

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation continues to operate cooling centers. Pets are allowed but must be leashed and with the owners at all times. County parks’ cooling centers are:

• Jackie Robinson Park, 8773 East Ave. R, Littlerock.
• Stephen Sorensen Park, 16801 East Ave. P, Lake Los Angeles.
• Val Verde Community Regional Park, 30300 Arlington St., Castaic.
• Castaic Regional Sports Complex, 31320 N. Castaic Road, Castaic
• George Lane Park, 5520 West Ave. L-8, Quartz Hill.
• Pearblossom Park, 33922 N. 121st St., East Pearblossom.
• Col. Leon H. Washington Park, 8908 Maie Ave., Los Angeles.
• Amelia Mayberry Park, 13201 Meyer Road, Whittier.
• Adventure Park, 10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier.
• Mary M. Bethune Park, 1244 E 61st St., Los Angeles.
• Lennox Park, 10828 S. Condon Ave., Inglewood.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, 7600 Graham Ave., Los Angeles.
• Earvin “Magic” Johnson Recreation Area, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles.
• Del Aire Park, 12601 S. Isis Ave., Hawthorne.
• George Washington Carver Park, 1400 E. 118th St., Los Angeles.

A complete list of county park cooling center locations, along with safety tips to stay safe in the heat, is available at parks.lacounty.gov/cooling-centers.

A list of all Los Angeles County cooling centers can be found at ready.lacounty.gov/heat.

City News Service contributed to this report.