Bay Area powers through day of extreme heat; Sonoma Co. Pride preps for hot weekend
Bay Area residents are getting a taste of summer-like heat Friday. Temperatures are projected to reach up to 104 degrees in some parts.
Here's how some residents are beating the heat.
North Bay bakes during heat advisory as Sonoma County Pride Festival kicks off
In the North Bay, temperatures were rising Friday, forcing some folks to seek relief in a pool or find some shade.
Sonoma County Pride organizers have a plan to keep everyone cool at the weekend event. Set up for the 40th Sonoma County Pride Festival started Friday morning, when the sun started to sizzle.
Oscar Medrano was feeling the heat setting up tents.
"It's hard to work, you know. Way too hot," Medreno said.
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"I wear a hat, because sun and me don't mix. I don't tan. I burn," said Pride Festival worker Telfer Reynolds.
Organizers were ready for the extreme heat with lots of umbrellas and mister fans. Nearby Santa Rosa Plaza Mall was available for attendees who needed a cooling center.
"Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated. We will have the City of Santa Rosa's water truck here. People can refill for free on site," said Sonoma County Pride President Chris Kren-Mora.
By afternoon, it was downright hot. Santa Rosa Fire officials posted info about the heat advisory on social media. The message: take it easy.
"We're urging residents to pay attention to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, especially when they're not used to this kind of temps right now," said Santa Rosa Division Chief Paul Lowenthal.
Lowenthal adds, don't do yardwork in the middle of the day, which could spark a fire. Hillside grasses are getting dryer by the week.
Lots of people had the same idea: to cool off in the pool at Finley Aquatics Center.
"The water feels fantastic today, the environment is peaceful, joyful and happiness," said Gloria Felling from Santa Rosa.
The Sonoma County Pride parade is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m. in downtown Santa Rosa.
Here's how East Bay residents prepped for extreme heat
We stopped by Pleasanton earlier in the day as residents braced for the first truly excessive temperatures of the year.
Lisa Miller set out more fans at the Workbench TrueValue Hardware in downtown Pleasanton, where temperatures are expected to hit the high 90s Friday.
But the manager said the really popular items are the hats. She said the business is selling a lot of them.
"Like hotcakes with their hand over fist," Miller said. "People are just really buying hats. We've sold more than twice as much as many hats now as we did last year at this very same time. That tells you that people are thinking about the heat anyway or maybe they're just more aware of sun and the UV damage on people's skin."
James Theodore took his dog Stella for a walk in the morning. He was like many in the area, who were getting their exercise in before the heat hits.
"She has trouble with the heat like a lot of dogs, so you got to take care of them when you can," said Theodore, who planned to turn on his air conditioner Friday.
In Walnut Creek, ABC7 saw construction workers and gardeners out early, beating the heat.
This is the first Spare the Air Alert issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District this season.
Experts are reminding you to watch for signs of heat illness, keep cool and look out for others, like the elderly and pets.
MORE: Expert explains dangers of heatstroke in children left in cars during heat waves
Signs of heat illness include heavy sweating, nausea, headaches and vomiting.
There are many graduations planned for Friday in the Bay Area, when temperatures are expected to climb. It's a good idea to stay hydrated and try to stay in the shade.
This heat wave comes as Governor Gavin Newsom is announcing a new heat-ranking tool to combat extreme heat.
Cal Heat Score warns Californians of extreme heat and helps connect them with resources to stay safe.
