The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has called for a fourth straight Spare the Air Day for Wednesday. It's one short of the record we had in the summer of 2006.
A heat advisory along the coast and an excessive heat warning inland and in higher elevations will remain in effect through 11 a.m. Friday.
Officials at California Independent System Operator are urging people to make voluntary energy use cutbacks during this hot weather.
Thursday will be another hot day. Cooler temperatures are expected by Friday.
There are cooling center open in many counties providing refuge for residents trying to beat the heat. Click here for a list of cooling centers.
People and animals throughout the Bay Area have been coping with the intense heat any way they can. In Contra Costa County, Highlands Elementary School provided wading pools for children to keep cool. There are also some newer buildings with air conditioning where teachers are rotating students through the new rooms.
In Antioch, children showed off their prized farm animals at the California Youth Fair at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds. The kids hosed the animals down, spraying mist and freezing plastic soda bottles with ice for animals to curl up next to.
Officials say if you don't have air conditioning in your home, a frozen water bottle for your pet is also a good idea.
Cooling centers open around the Bay Area: click here
Heat resources: How to beat the heat
The Almaden Community Center is just one of many cooling centers in San Jose and a full list may be viewed at http://www.sccgov.org.
Cooling centers are available in cities throughout the region. A list of cooling centers statewide opened by local authorities and tips to prevent heat illness are available at http://www.oes.ca.gov.
