The Southeastern Idaho Public Health Department is one of the many organizations that have raised concerns about health and safety during the hottest months of the year.  From now until the beginning of September, the National Weather Service has advised residents that temperatures are likely to remain high and dry.  Last week, the NWS issued Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories for the majority of Southeast Idaho.  While this has many implications, such as the potential for wildfires, the effect on summer crops and water availability and evaporation, scheduled outdoor event precautions, pet care, and so on, the immediate concern is to the public’s exposure to heat.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the two most common heat-related conditions that occur during weather in the sustained high range at or near the century mark of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Last week, unofficially recorded temperatures across southeast Idaho met and exceeded that mark, with official weather reports within a degree in many towns.  

According to the SIPH (Southeastern Idaho Public Health) “During excessively high temperatures, health risks associated with heat-related illness are significantly heightened, particularly for infants and children under age 5, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues. Residents are encouraged to check in on the well-being of any vulnerable relatives, friends, and neighbors during times of extreme heat.”

As a result of concern, “Effective immediately, Southeastern Idaho Public Health (SIPH) has launched a Cooling Center during the area’s heatwave at their Pocatello location at 1901 Alvin Ricken Drive. The National Weather Service has issued Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories for much of southeast Idaho. The Cooling Center is free and open to the public during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. People are welcome to come in and get out of the heat. The Cooling Center will provide air conditioning, water, snacks, basic activities (coloring books, games, etc.), bathrooms, seating and the ability to charge cell phones. SIPH has plans to open its doors as a Cooling Center during the summer anytime the temperature is above 90 degrees.” 

SIPH Director, Maggie Mann says, “Historically, this weather is not typical for southeast Idaho. We have a lot of housing without air conditioning, which is a concern for all people, and in particular, our most vulnerable populations. We are offering up our facility as a Cooling Center as a safe space to prevent the effects of extreme weather conditions.”

While anyone is invited to the Pocatello Cooling Center, it is clear that an hour plus long bus ride to sit in a cool room is not an especially efficient means of combatting heat.  

Luckily, local branches of the SIPH are also opening their doors to local residents to cool down if they need to.  All of the member counties will open their doors to the public for cooling down, grabbing some water, and lowering their core temperatures to safe levels.  Franklin, Oneida, Caribou, Bear Lake, and Bingham counties will all provide space and amenities, though what is available beyond a cool environment varies from location to location.

In most cases, other public buildings (such as libraries, public city and county buildings, and so on) can also be sought for relief from the heat during excessively hot days.  For more information, you can contact your local SIPH office, or Tracy Reed at the main office at (208) 239-5250.