Public Health Issues a Health Alert During Extreme Heat Warning

High Temperatures Anticipated for Parts of Santa Barbara County 

The County of Santa Barbara Health Department (County Health) is issuing a Health Alert due to the Extreme Heat Warning issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Santa Barbara County.

The National Weather Service is  forecasting a multi-day heatwave and fire weather conditions from 11 a.m. on Thursday,  August 21, 2025 through 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025. A Red Flag Warning  has been issued for the foothill and mountain areas.  

County Health is urging residents to take the necessary safety measures to avoid heat related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Community members are  strongly encouraged to take the following precautions whenever temperatures are on the  rise:  

• Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or be able to react  accordingly – especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your  neighbors.  
• Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing  works best.  
• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar  or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions  from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.  
• Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts  of the day, like morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest  often.  
• Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in  air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can  help too.  

• If you do not have air‐conditioning, consider arranging to spend at least parts of  the day at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when  the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.  
• For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded  area or air-conditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by  moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.  
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or  sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.  
• Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat  exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot,  flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will  be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke  is life threatening!  
• Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It only takes a  matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly  temperatures.  

Make a plan to keep cool during the hot weather days ahead. For more information  about the extreme heat forecast, visit: Heatwave and Fire Weather in SBC | Santa  Barbara County, CA – Official Website 

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https://www.edhat.com/news/update-nws-issues-red-flag-warning-along-with-extreme-heat-warnings-for-central-coast/