THOUSAND OAKS, Calif - With temperatures rising into the triple digits in some areas of the Santa Monica Mountains this weekend, National Park Service rangers are urging the public to avoid recreating in the middle of the day when it’s the hottest and to leave their dogs at home.
The mountains and coastal areas will be within “High" or “Extreme Heat" today, with some places reaching temperatures as high as 115.
“Heat is the number one cause of weather-related fatalities in the U.S., so please limit outdoor activities to the early or later part of the day when the temperatures are not as high," said David Szymanski, park superintendent for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Szymanski added a note of caution regarding dogs.
“In addition, we also want to prevent what we see too often during this time of year - dogs succumbing to the effects of the summer heat on the trail. Dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke and can literally die within minutes. Please leave them at home in the air conditioning."
Visitors are advised to hydrate often and to drink at least one cup of water every 20 minutes. Drink before getting thirsty and bring plenty of water to any activity.
Learning to spot signs of heat illness can also be lifesaving.
Heat stroke is a true emergency and should not be confused with heat exhaustion. Signs of heat stroke include confusion, a high body temperature but no or little sweating, a throbbing headache, and a rapid, strong pulse. The victim may also have nausea or vomiting.
If signs of heat stroke are detected, immediately call 911.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park System, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service