Despite the calendar change, the abundance of autumn leaf decorations on display and everything pumpkin hitting store shelves and coffee shops, the triple-digit weather is anything but an indicator of the arrival of fall.

Those craving temperatures to match the Halloween season will unfortunately be left wanting as the heat wave continues to hit the Southland, according to the Southern California Weather Authority (SCWA). A Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles County came with the first day of October, along with continued heat advisory warnings released for the days ahead.

Los Angeles hit 98 degrees as of Monday around 4 p.m., 18 degrees above the recorded high. Claremont sizzled near 104. As the county reaches these record highs, city staffers and volunteers are ensuring that locals, especially those most vulnerable, are covered as the scorching temperatures continue the creep upward.

“Seniors are at a high risk,” recognized Edith Orcasitas, a volunteer with the Joslyn Senior Center. “It’s important to us that we take good care of our residents.”

A number of designated cooling centers are scattered across the city and county offering an icy refuge for those suffering from the heat wave blues. The nearest cooling center can be found by calling “211.” Claremont’s refrigerated destination centers include the Alexander Hughes Center, the Claremont Library, as well as the Blaisdell and Joslyn Senior Centers.

Friends and Claremont residents Mark Vaghchi and Stan Obrentz, along with Pomona resident Linda Corvan took advantage of the air conditioning offered at the Claremont Joslyn Senior Center Monday afternoon to enjoy a lunch out of the house, but without the accompaniment of the miserable temperature.

“It’s just horrible,” Mr. Obrentz commented on the heat. “It’s unseasonably hot out there.”

Mr. Obrentz welcomed the chance to partake in his daily lunch ritual at Joslyn Center with the added bonus of the frosty air. After lunch he planned to return home and enjoy a book, a relaxing activity out of the afternoon heat. When not taking relief in his home on Twelfth Street, Mr. Vaghchi says he can be found hiding out at a number of Claremont cool zones, those designated and undesignated. He suggests the Laemmle Theatres, the Claremont Club or a local shopping mall as an afternoon retreat from the heat.  He had come to the Joslyn Center Monday from cooling down at an exercise class taught in the Casa Colina pool.

“There are lots of opportunities to take advantage of,” Mr. Vaghchi said.

Ms. Corvan recommends making use of free city-sponsored activities, where the rooms are cold and the A/C bill is fronted for you. Among Ms. Corvan’s favorite activities are the afternoon movies that play at the Joslyn Center every 2nd, 3rd and 4th Friday of the month. Movies follow the afternoon lunch hour.

Whether at a designated cooling center or not, residents are reminded that the temperatures of this latest heat wave are dangerous and that necessary precautions should be taken. Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when burning rays are the strongest, suggests a fact sheet provided by the Office of Emergency Management. Set the air conditioner between 75 to 80 degrees or, for those without an air conditioner, take a cold shower twice a day and visit public air-conditioned facilities. If outside, reduce physical activity and wear wide-brimmed hats, light colored and lightweight clothing and avoid hot, heavy meals that include excessive protein. For those that choose to partake in any sort of outdoor activity, the SCWA recommends pairing plenty of drinking water with eating saltine crackers to replenish salt lost from the body.

“If you think you have enough water bottles for your hike then take 2 times more to be safe. Most people miscalculate their water need,” suggested Kevin Martin, senior meteorologist of the Southern California Weather Authority.

Extended hours will be added for the weekend should the triple-digit temperatures continue. For updated information on the city’s cooling centers visit www.ci.claremont.ca.us. Questions regarding the county’s cooling centers can be directed to the Office of Emergency Management at 323-459-3779 or visit www.espfocus.org.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com

Claremont Cooling Centers

Alexander Hughes Center 

1700 Danbury Road

399-5490

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Blaisdell Senior Center

440 S. College Ave.

399-5367

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Claremont Library

208 N. Harvard Ave.

621-4902

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Joslyn Senior Center

660 N. Mountain Ave.

399-5488

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.