As temperatures climb in Kern County, doctors are urging residents not to let familiarity with summer heat lead to complacency, especially as a recent spike has caught some people off guard.
Dr. Puja Vithalani of Kern County Kaiser Permanente said people should watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including “increased thirst,” headaches, blurred vision, fatigue and sleepiness. “All of these are signs that your hydration is not adequate at that moment,” Vithalani said.
Vithalani said this summer had been relatively cool compared to other summers in Kern County, but she has seen an uptick in heat-related cases at her clinic. She said the increase includes care for the elderly, infants and pregnant women.
“Every year is different for us, but it is a hot city. I know that we may think that we’re used to it but remember to take as many precautions as you can. And just stay safe from the heat,” Vithalani said.
Local farmers are also adjusting to the higher temperatures, including changes to work schedules in the fields.
“The grape growers, I’ll use them as an example, they’re the ones that have the manual labor in the field, picking and harvesting. They’re starting earlier and as soon as they hit 100 degrees they end their day,” said Todd Snider, president of the Kern County Farm Bureau.
If temperatures reach 105 degrees and above, more challenges can follow, including the need for more irrigation and added stress on crops, Snider said. Still, he said farmers remain optimistic.
“Farmers are well known for being positive, finding the best case scenario. Always thinking and planning accordingly. They are ever the optimist. No matter what happens to them they’re going to be like Ok we can figure this out. Let’s plan around it and let’s get it done,” Snider said.
Eyewitness News meteorologist Ilya Neyman said the heat is expected to linger. “We are expecting this heat once it gets going to stick around at least up until the end of the week, maybe longer,” Neyman said, adding that forecast confidence decreases further out.
Vithalani recommended drinking six to 10 cups of water each day, and more if you’re active.