Extreme heat is a grave and growing public health threat. Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Although the very young and very old are most vulnerable to extreme heat, anyone who is outside is also at increased risk. The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) monitors unusual spikes in emergency room visits through syndromic surveillance.
Cooling Centers
For the health, safety, and comfort of Fresno County residents, these designated locations may open as Cooling Centers by local governments when temperatures are forecasted by the National Weather Service (NWS) to exceed certain highs.
Please note that hours and locations are subject to change, and not all locations are guaranteed to be open. For more information about cooling centers in your area, please contact your local city government directly or call the locations below.
Click
here for the heat index.
City of Fresno
Cooling Centers
The City of Fresno will activate the following Cooling Centers from 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm when the forecast high temperature is 105° or above:
- Frank H. Ball, 760 Mayor
- Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 N. San Pablo
- Maxie L. Parks Community Center, 1802 E. California
- Mosqueda Community Center, 4670 E. Butler
- Pinedale Community Center, 7170 N. San Pablo
For more information, visit: https://www.fresno.gov/parks/cooling-and-warming-center-policy/
Community Centers
Community Centers are open from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Dickey Youth Development Center, 1515 E. Divisadero Street
(At the corner of Divisadero and Glenn in downtown Fresno)
- Einstein Neighborhood Center, 3566 E. Dakota Avenue
(At Millbrook and Dakota in Central Fresno)
- El Dorado Neighborhood Center, 1343 E. Barstow Avenue
(Adjacent to Wesley United Methodist Church in Northeast Fresno at Fourth and Barstow)
- Fink-White Neighborhood Center, 535 S. Trinity Street
(Near Amador and Whitesbridge in Southwest Fresno)
- Frank H. Ball Neighborhood Center, 760 Mayor Avenue
(Near Inyo and A Street in Southwest Fresno)
- Highway City Neighborhood Center, 5140 N. State Street
(North of Shaw and East of Highway 99 in the Highway City Community)
- Holmes Neighborhood Center, 212 S. First Street
(West of First and South of Tulare near the historic Huntington Blvd.)
- Inspiration Park, 5770 W Gettysburg Avenue
(South of Shaw and West of Highway 99 near Teague Elementary)
- Lafayette Neighborhood Center, 1516 E. Princeton Avenue
(West of Blackstone and South of Shields at Princeton and Glenn)
- Mary Ella Brown Community Center, 1350 E. Annadale Avenue
(South of Jensen and West of Elm in Southwest Fresno)
- Maxie L. Parks Community Center, 1802 E California Avenue
(At the corner of Elm and California in Southwest Fresno)
- Melody Neighborhood Center, 5935 E. Shields Avenue
(At the corner of Fowler and Shields in East Central Fresno)
- Mosqueda Community Center, 4670 E. Butler Avenue
(Southeast corner of Maple & Butler in Southeast Fresno)
- Pinedale Community Center, 7170 N. San Pablo Avenue
(Next to Pinedale Elementary, North of Herndon and West of Blackstone)
- Quigley Neighborhood Center, 808 W. Dakota Avenue
(South of Ashlan at Northwest corner of Fruit and Dakota)
- Romain Neighborhood Center, 745 N. First Street
(Between Belmont and Olive in Southeast Fresno)
- Sunset Neighborhood Center, 1345 W. Eden Avenue
(Next to Sunset Elementary, West of West Ave. and South of Kearney in West Fresno)
- Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 N. San Pablo Avenue
(Between Olive and Belmont in the Tower District in Central Fresno)
Splash Pad Park Locations
- Dickey Playground – 50 N. Calaveras St., Fresno, CA 93721
- Figarden Loop Park – 4265 W. Figarden Dr., Fresno, CA 93722
- Inspiration Park – 5770 W. Gettysburg Ave., Fresno, CA 93722
- Martin Ray Reilly Park – 750 N. Chestnut Ave., Fresno, CA 93727
- Melody Park – 5935 E Shields Ave., Fresno, CA 93727
- Mosqueda Community Center – 4670 E. Butler Ave., Fresno CA 93702
- Todd Beamer Park – 1890 E. Plymouth Way, Fresno, CA 93720
- Vinland Park – 4695 E. Gettysburg Ave., Fresno, CA 93710
- Fink White Park – 535 S. Trinity, Fresno, CA 93706 (Coming Soon!)
Recreational Swimming Pool Sites
Hours: Open daily through August 11 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
(Frank H. Ball and Mosqueda centers will also open on weekends from August 17 through Sept. 1)
- Frank H. Ball – 760 Mayor Ave, Fresno, CA 93706
- Mary Ella Brown – 1350 E Annadale Ave, Fresno, CA 93706
- Mosqueda – 4670 E Butler Ave, Fresno, CA 93702
- Einstein Park – 3566 E Dakota Ave, Fresno, CA 93726
- Fink White Park – 535 S Trinity St, Fresno, CA 93706 (Under construction)
- Quigley – 808 W Dakota Ave, Fresno, CA 93705
- Romain – 745 N First St, Fresno, CA 93702
- Lafayette – 1516 E Princeton Ave, Fresno, CA 93704
- Sunset – 1345 W Eden Ave, Fresno, CA 93706
FUSD Recreational Swimming Pool Sites
Hours: Open weekends through July 28 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Edison High School – 540 E California Ave, Fresno, CA 93706 (Use parking lot located on the corner of Fairway Avenue and East Florence)
- Hoover High School – 5550 N First St, Fresno, CA 93710
- McLane High School – 2727 N Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93703
- Roosevelt High School – 4250 E Tulare Ave, Fresno, CA 93702
- Fresno High School - 1839 N Echo Ave, Fresno, CA 93704
Fresno FAX Bus System
The City’s FAX Bus system will provide free transportation along normal routes to and from Cooling Centers. To ride free, residents must indicate they are traveling to a Cooling Center.
For information or assistance with the City Heat Relief Plan call (559) 621-CITY (2489).
City of Biola
Biola Community Services District
Address: 4925 N. 7th Street, Biola, CA
July 18 - July 31 from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
City of Clovis
Sierra Vista Mall
- Address: 1050 Shaw Ave. Clovis, CA
- Mon-Sat: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Sun: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Clovis Transit is free when temperatures reach or exceed 105 degrees, visit the City of Clovis Transit Webpage or call (559) 324-2770.
Complimentary water is available at the customer service booth.
City of Coalinga
Coalinga-Huron Recreation District (Fitness Center)
Address: 191 E. Forest Ave
(559) 935-0896
June 7th: 5:00 am - 9:00 pm
June 8th: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
June 9th: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Coalinga-Huron District Library
Address: 305 N. 4th St
(559) 935-1676
Mon-Thur: 9am-7pm
Fri-Sat: 9am-5pm
Sun: Closed
City of Fowler
Activated when temperature reaches or exceeds 105 degrees.
128 S. 5th Street, Fowler, CA 93625
When the temperature reaches/exceeds 105 degrees until 7pm
Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
City of Huron
Huron Police Department Sky Room
17051 12th Street
Huron, CA
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
City of Kerman
(PDF, 500KB)
Scout Hut in Kerckoff Park (off 4th Street)
15061 W. G St.
Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Call (559) 846-9383 to have facility opened
Kerrman City Hall
15101 W. Kearney Blvd.
Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm hours may vary
Kerman Senior Center
720 S. 8th St.
Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Kerman Library
15081 W. Kearney Blvd.
Mon-Wed: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thurs: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Fri: 12:00 pm - 4:00pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sun: CLOSED
City of Kingsburg
In Effect Any Day 104° Degrees or Higher
Kingsburg Senior Center
Cooling Center Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
1450 Ellis St. Kingsburg
(559) 897-3013
Crandell Swim Complex (FREE SWIM through August 9 when 104° or higher)
Free Public Swim Hours: Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (104° or higher)
1900 18th Ave. Kingsburg
(559) 897-0305
City of Mendota
City Hall Council Chambers (Activated when temperature reaches/exceeds 100 degrees)
643 Quince St.
Mendota, CA 93640
(559) 655-4298
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM (excluding holidays)
City of Orange Cove
Senior Center
699 6th Street
Orange Cove, CA. 93646
(559) 626-4488
City of Parlier
Senior Center
690 S Newmark Ave.
Parlier, CA 93648
(559) 646-3545
(Anytime it is over 100 degrees)
City of Sanger
City Annex Building (When temperatures exceed 105 degrees)
1789 Jensen Ave.
Sanger, CA 93657
12:00pm – 6:00pm
City of Selma
Police Department Community Room
2055 Third Street
Selma, CA 93662
2:00pm – 7:00pm
Fresno County Libraries:
All Fresno County Libraries have water fountains and provide cool air during the summer months. For the most up-to-date information on extended cooling center locations and hours at the Fresno County libraries, please visit: https://fresnolibrary.org/branch/all.html.
The Public Health Communication team manages this webpage. If you are a City Manager, Mayor, or local government representative and would like to add a new cooling center to this site or edit details to this page, please email DPH@fresnocountyca.gov.
Extreme Heat and Youth Sports:
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently released a comprehensive set of recommendations to keep school-age youth safe during extreme heat CDPH Extreme Heat Guidance for Schools (ca.gov). Those participating in outdoor sports, such as football are at particular risk, both because of the time of year when training and games are scheduled, as well as the heavy equipment worn. Fatalities in high school and college football players - PubMed (nih.gov) CDPH has recommendations for youth who are outside while participating in sports training or competitions including:
- Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
- Assess your hydration and be aware of your individual hydration needs (urine color, body mass changes, thirst).
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Pace yourself.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on other participants or teammates and have someone do the same for you.
The State of California law AB 1653 Bill Text: CA AB1653 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered | LegiScan addresses extreme heat guidance for youth during sporting events. AB 1653 requires all schools with interscholastic athletic programs to have emergency action plans (EAPs) that include management of extreme heat emergencies. AB 1653 also directed the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to develop its own guidance for procedures and safety standards for the management of extreme heat illness. California Interscholastic Federation (cifstate.org)
CIF has also produced several documents to assist schools in preparing for emergencies including those related to extreme heat. Emergency Action Plan Information - California Interscholastic Federation (cifstate.org) https://www.cifstate.org/sports-medicine/emergency_action_plan/EAP_1-pager.pdf
Consistent with AB 1653, both CIF and CDPH recommend schools use wetbulb globe temperatures (WBGT) to guide decisions about sports participation during extreme heat. The WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas. If schools do not have a WGBT tester, both CIF and CDPH recommend use of the National Weather Service (NWS) Heat Risk forecast for your community: NWS HeatRisk (noaa.gov).
CDPH offers specific recommendations that FCDPH endorses when the NWS Heat Risk is “Major” or “Extreme”:
When the HeatRisk level is forecast to be "Extreme" (Magenta / Level 4):
- Cancel all outdoor and unconditioned indoor activities A.
- And, if feasible reschedule all outdoor activities and unconditioned indoor activities to a different day when the HeatRisk level is no longer "Extreme" (Magenta / Level 4) or "Major" (Red / Level 3).
- Or move to alternative activities in an air-conditioned or cooled indoor environment.
When the HeatRisk level is forecast to be "Major" (Red / Level 3):
- Cancel all outdoor and unconditioned indoor activities during the heat of the day (usually 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
- And, if feasible reschedule all outdoor activities and unconditioned indoor activities to a cool time of the day if there is one (for example, very early morning).
- Or reschedule all outdoor activities and unconditioned indoor activities to a different day when the Heat Risk level is no longer "Extreme" (Magenta / Level 4) or "Major" (Red / Level 3).
- Or move to alternative activities in an air-conditioned or cooled indoor environment.
FCDPH communicates regularly with the Fresno County Superintendents of Schools and the CIF Central Section on a range of issues including these extreme heat recommendations. Decisions regarding school activities are made by individual school districts. To protect the health and safety of our youth, FCDPH strongly recommends that all school districts in Fresno County develop emergency action plans that conform to CIF guidelines and adopt the CDPH Health Guidance for Schools on Sports and Strenuous Activities During Extreme Heat.
Treatment of Exertional Heat Stroke:
When exertional heat stroke (EHS) is suspected for an athlete, CDPH recommends the following:
- Cool first and transport second. Cooling treatment must be provided immediately, before being transported by emergency medical services.
- Remove all equipment and extra layers of clothing.
- Cool the athlete as quickly as possible within 30 minutes via whole body cold or ice water immersion (place the athlete in a tub with ice and water approximately 35-58 degrees F).
- Stir water and add ice throughout cooling process.
- If cold-water immersion is not possible (no tub), aggressively douse the athlete’s whole body with cold water. Or if that’s not possible, take the athlete to a shaded, cool area and use rotating cold, wet towels to cover as much of the body surface as possible.
- After cooling has been initiated, activate emergency medical system by calling 9-1-1.
Air Quality
Poor air quality exacerbates risks associated with extreme heat.
The American Lung Association reports on two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants, fine particles and ozone. Fresno has the worst short-term particle pollution in the nation. City Rankings | State of the Air | American Lung Association. Widespread wildfires also degrade air quality. To learn more, visit the CDPH site: Wildfire smoke (ca.gov).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updates air quality reports on a daily basis for all regions of the country. AQI data is posted on the AirNow website. The AirNow AQI reports are the basis for the California Dept of Education recommendations for steps for schools to take when air quality is poor School Air Quality Activity Recommendations - Air Quality (CA Dept of Education). The CIF Extreme Heat and Air Quality Policy states:
- Member schools should consider shortening or cancelling outdoor athletic events (practices or competition) in accordance with AQI recommendations. Exposure to air should be managed more carefully for students with pre-existing lung or heart conditions. When the AQI rises above 100 schools should consider removing such athletes at risk from practice or competition.
- At AQI values above 150 serious considerations should be given to rescheduling the activity or moving it indoors if possible. Prolonged exposure and heavy exertion should be avoided.
To protect the health and safety of our youth, FCDPH strongly recommends that all school districts in Fresno County adopt the CIF and the California Department of Education School Air Quality Activity Recommendations.