Parts of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties will see several days of extreme heat around the Fourth of July holiday this year. The National Weather Service issued heat advisories and excessive heat warnings for the region, which remain in effect through July 9 in parts of Monterey County.
The best way to cool off is to be inside with air conditioning — and that goes for your pets too. But there are still ways to stay safe even if you have to be outdoors.
“Wear light, loose-fitting clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater is really important, hydrating — drink before you're thirsty,” said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, public health officer for Santa Cruz County. “The other thing to keep in mind is to take frequent breaks.”
For those experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz, the county’s Homeless Persons Health Project is providing water and electrolyte drinks throughout the week. In Monterey County, many libraries are operating as cooling centers.


Since the heatwave coincides with the Fourth of July holiday, people should also be aware of an added layer of risk — fire danger. Think twice before setting off fireworks, says Karen Smith, public information officer for the Monterey County Health Department. Fireworks also happen to be illegal in many parts of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
“With extreme heat also comes the possibility of wildfires,” Smith said. “We're having a heatwave, and we've got a holiday where we light things up and they spark, and it's dry. So just be aware of how dry it is.”
To summarize — hydrate, check on the people around you, and try not to spend too much time outside in the sun. Here are detailed lists of heat safety tips in English and Spanish.
This story has been updated to reflect a change in the length of the heat advisory.