Blazing Heat Wave Inflicts Vegas Valley

Wildfire In California

LAS VEGAS—Torrid three-digit temperatures scorches the West. Wildfires dangerously spread across western states and engulfs dry areas threatening large numbers of homes, wildlife and natural habitat. It’s way too early for this kind of heat. It’s only spring. We are being engulfed by the flamethrower of nature, unrelenting heat. Shortly after 1:00 AM this morning, the National Weather Service issued an urgent weather message proclaiming Excessive Heat Warning for Las Vegas Valley, Clark County, the Mojave Desert and a wide area of the West, including Arizona.

We are being set ablaze with July-August, summer-like temperatures, not May-June spring climate.

A bummer for Las Vegas tourists and locals alike. It’s a party town and tourists who come from cooler weather are going to be toasted to something other than drinks. To be outside in Vegas in this extreme climate, walking around and exerting energy while sightseeing and adventure seeking could spell disaster if precautions aren’t taken.

I know this sounds counter productive, but if you insist on drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages while outside or going outside in this extreme heat, then drink at least 12-16 ounces of cold water for every alcoholic drink you consume. The same for at least every 2-3 cups of caffeinated drink. Alcohol and caffeine dehydrates your body, while water replenishes those loses and hydrates your body. You need plenty of water to balance the forces of partying. Too, in these temperatures, water, or any liquid will get extremely hot fast. Test any fluids before giving to children or pets for suitable consumption temperatures. If available, use those small ice packs to keep beverages cold, or at least cooled. Foil will act as an insulator as well.

For well beyond a week, temperatures will climb to at least 112 degrees in the Vegas Valley and over 121 degrees in nearby Death Valley. Be aware these are air temperatures. Ground temperatures, that is the surface temperature of the infrastructure, street pavement, sidewalks, buildings and so forth, can be ten to fifteen degrees higher. Vehicle temperature or the inside temperature of any space with metal, glass or other material enclosed can reach well over 150 degrees, a fatal temperature. Such extreme temperature for anyone, even adults, left in vehicles without air condition can turn fatal in a hurry. Confusion and disorientation can set in and disturb normally thinking minds. Brain damage and stroke can quickly be inflicted. Machines, such as cars and air conditioning can fail and suffer mechanical problems, don’t risk leaving someone unattended.

OCEAN & GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS BE AWARE OF DEADLY “RIP CURRENTS.”
SUMMER SEASONS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT DRIVES US TO THE BEACH–HERE’S HOW TO SURVIVE:
HOW TO SURVIVE DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS
Educate me on RIP CURRENTS

Don’t over do it. Get inside, refresh, take breaks, drink plenty of water and stay alert. Don’t leave children or pets in vehicles, even momentarily. Keep your eye on your children constantly while near swimming pools. Sun strokes, heat exhaustion, heat-related health issues, be aware of signs of these health problems. If you suspect the signs, get help, quick. Every year we hear of the weather-related disasters, often fatal, that consume lives locally and around the nation. Stay alert.

“Only you can prevent forest fires!” By Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Association of State Foresters and the Advertising Council.

Every year thousands of acres and homes burn in the Western region of the United States. Dry periods and extreme heat are almost always a condition that will spark an inferno, rapid moving wildfires and consuming flames of property and nature. The spark that ignites these fires come from lightning as much-wanted rain comes, but unfortunately the rain comes with torches of lightning bolts that set forests ablaze. Careless campers failing to properly extinguish their campfires or carelessly starting one that shoots embers into dry forests with kindle-dry wood. Once a forest fire starts, it spreads rapidly, and if there is a high wind, it will likely burn out of control.

Travelers on expressways and roadways are at fault for many forest fires.
Accidents spark forest fires, too. The current California fire was started by a truck accident when electrical wires sparked a fire. Flicking a cigarette out a window along a dry highway is only asking for trouble. Careless smokers destroy thousands of acres and homes every year. All of these conditions are weather related and heat related. But commonsense and education can reduce the human and animal fatalities, injuries, loss of homes, businesses, buildings, domestic pets, and our natural resources, our forest and wildlife.

Careless Smoking & Careless Campfires Start Many Forest Fires

Be smart. Be safe. Think and be prepared to reduce the harm excessive heat can bring humans and animals. It all begins in your heart with a little bit of care and a whole lot of tender love for life and environment.

Rather you are visiting Vegas or the Western region, traveling along dry roadways, camping, hiking or spending your time outdoors in other adventures, use wisdom to make your life and the life of other’s pleasant and not remorseful.

It appears that we are in for a long, hot summer. Buses overheat. Schedules often run late. Transportation breaks down. Be prepared. Don’t get caught out in that extreme heat without protection. Sunscreen, long-sleeve shirts, sunhats, umbrellas, water, cooling fans, cell phones are all part of the self-defense arsenal, use them, keep them by your side while being inflicted by Nevada’s torrid heat.

Have fun, but stay cool as possible and stay safe.

A Wildfire

Dancing Flames

Flames