Heat affects animals at Alameda County Fair

PLEASANTON, Calif. (KGO) -- As temperatures soared into the triple digits for the second day in a row, members of 4-H and Future Farmers of America worked hard at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton on Wednesday to keep their prize animals safe and healthy.

"It's really important because if you don't you've done all this work for nothing cause they could get sick or they could get really dehydrated," said Fremont resident Genna Vieira. "So it's really important cause you could have done all this work for almost a year and then it just kinda comes out to nothing."

For a sheep named Spiderman, a shower was part of getting ready for Wednesday night's big show.

"To keep them cool we tend to hose them down or we'll take their blankets and dip their blankets in water and then put their blankets back on them so that way it's like taking a dunk in the pool," said Livermore resident Kylie Chapton.

In Concord at the new Meadow Homes Spray Park, keeping cool was pretty easy, at least for the children.

"We're hanging out trying to stay cool, though we're in the sun, not really staying very cool," said Walnut Creek resident Meaghan Moreau with a laugh.

Young Concord resident Shannon Kreutz added, "It's a really nice park. It's full of activities. Over here there's like a baby park and there's like a big park over here for the bigger kids."

The park's opening was delayed for three weeks due to the drought. But now the water flows there seven days a week.

A Heat Advisory remains in effect for interior portions of the East Bay, North Bay, and Santa Clara Valley through 9 p.m. State officials are also calling on residents to voluntarily conserve electricity during the heat wave, as demand on the power grid surges. California's Independent Supply Operator has issued a Flex Alert urging consumers to set thermostats to 78 degrees and reduce the use of appliances between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. The alerts call for voluntary conservation so the state will not have to dip into energy reserves.

Heat related illness is a big concern when temperatures soar -- especially for children, the elderly and people who are sick. The heat can also tire you out. Health officials are reminding residents to drink lots of water, dress in lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, limit physical activity, do any outside labor in the early morning or evening and to watch out for pets and make sure they have enough water and shade.

Anyone who needs to get out of the heat should go to a public library or community center. Cooling centers may be available in area senior centers and other locations.

If you live in the South Bay there will be some place to help keep you cool. A cooling center at the Campbell Community Center will open at 1 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. In San Jose, there are six public pools to help you beat the heat. If you're looking for a place for you and your kids to cool down, go to one of these San Jose public pools.

A list of potential cooling centers in Contra Costa County is available at cchealth.org/heat/cool-locations.php.

The heat wave is expected to extend into the holiday weekend.

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