Pasadena Health Officials Warn Residents to Spot Heat Illness as Temperatures Climb Into the 90s

A body temperature above 103 degrees, confusion, hot dry skin — those are the signs that something has gone dangerously wrong with a person out in the heat, and the Pasadena Public Health Department wants residents to know them before temperatures peak this week.

The department posted a social media advisory on Monday identifying the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke as a National Weather Service heat advisory took effect across the San Gabriel Valley. The advisory covers Pasadena, Altadena and surrounding areas from Tuesday, July 7 through Friday, July 10, with forecasters projecting highs of 90 to 92 degrees locally and triple-digit readings in some inland valleys.

The distinction between heat exhaustion and heat stroke matters.

Heat exhaustion — marked by muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, paleness, a fast or weak pulse, and weakness or fainting — is the body’s warning that it is losing too much water and salt, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heat stroke is what happens when the warning goes unanswered. The sweating mechanism fails, body temperature spikes and the brain begins to shut down, the CDC says. It can cause permanent disability or death without emergency treatment.

The Pasadena health department’s infographic spells out the difference in plain terms: heat stroke brings dizziness, confusion, headache, unconsciousness, a rapid and strong pulse, very high body temperature, and red, hot, and dry skin. If someone shows those symptoms, call 911, the advisory states.

“Heat causes more deaths in the U.S. annually than floods, storms, and lightning combined,” said Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County health officer, in the county’s press release accompanying the advisory. “Those most likely to get ill during the heat include older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and individuals with chronic medical conditions.”

Davis urged residents to act quickly if they see trouble. Anyone experiencing symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion — dizziness, nausea, a rapid heartbeat, confusion or passing out — should seek medical help immediately, he said in the press release.

The NWS said the warmest temperatures during this stretch are expected Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, with only a very modest cooldown Friday. Temperatures are expected to remain above normal into the following week, according to the NWS.

Pasadena is one of only three cities in California that operates its own independent public health jurisdiction, giving its department direct authority to issue local advisories. The department, led by Director of Public Health Manuel Carmona, has been serving the community since 1892, according to the city’s website.

County health officials recommend drinking water throughout the day without waiting to feel thirsty, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing with a hat or umbrella, wearing sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and planning outdoor activities to avoid the hottest hours of the day, according to the press release.

Residents without air conditioning can take cool showers or baths, reduce stove and oven use, and visit air-conditioned public spaces. The Jackie Robinson Community Center, at 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue, has served as Pasadena’s designated cooling center during past heat events; residents can call (626) 744-7300 for current hours and availability. Pasadena’s public library branches are not official cooling centers but offer air-conditioned indoor relief during regular hours.

Cars heat up rapidly even with windows cracked, the county advisory warns. Residents should never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles and should call 911 if they see a child or pet alone in a car, the press release states.

Cooling centers, splash pads and community pools are available across Los Angeles County. Residents can find locations at ready.lacounty.gov/heat or by calling 211, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the county press release. For additional heat safety information, the Pasadena department’s advisory directed residents to Ready.gov/heat.

Pasadena Dial-A-Ride members can schedule transportation to cooling locations by calling (626) 791-7200. Pasadena Transit routes also serve community centers and libraries. For power emergencies during high heat, Pasadena Water and Power can be reached at (626) 744-4673.

Residents can sign up for the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System at CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS/ and visit the city’s Extreme Weather Portal at CityOfPasadena.net/extreme-weather-portal/ for weather forecasts, air quality data and emergency contacts. The City Service Center is available Monday through Friday during business hours at (626) 744-7311.

The heat advisory is the latest in a series issued for the region this year. Pasadena experienced an unusually intense March heat wave that pushed temperatures into the mid-90s — roughly 20 to 30 degrees above normal for the month — and prompted the city to open the Jackie Robinson Community Center as a cooling center.

The body’s early warnings are worth heeding. What starts as cramps and heavy sweat can turn into confusion and a medical emergency in the time it takes to finish a jog or a shift outdoors.