Many in Hot Pursuit of Cooling Relief

Ventura County residents flocked to beaches, swimming pools and ice cream parlors Saturday to seek relief on the final day of a three-day heat advisory.

The temperature in Simi Valley was at record levels for a second consecutive day Saturday. The mercury rose to 101, breaking a record of 98 degrees set July 18, 1979, the National Weather Service said.

Authorities reported no serious injuries due to heat, but the weather was causing air-conditioning technicians in Simi Valley to work overtime.

“It’s just been crazy. The phone’s constantly ringing,” said Judy Johnston of Simi Valley Heating and Air Conditioning. “I would say we normally get five to eight calls a day, and now we’re getting that many in two hours, easily.”

Other residents in Simi Valley lined up for ice cream as a way to beat the heat.

“I’d have to say that the Cappuccino Blast is a favorite,” said Jeff Cowan, an employee at a Simi Valley Baskin-Robbins.

Weather experts warned that people in high heat areas should limit outdoor activity, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and drink lots of nonalcoholic beverages.

They also warned not to leave pets and children in cars.

The heat advisory started Thursday after hot spots in a high-pressure system over Texas moved west, federal weather specialist Bill Hoffer said.

But it should cool down a few degrees today, he said, which is enough of a predicted drop to cancel the advisory.

Inland communities are expected to have highs in the mid-90s today with coastal highs in the mid-70s.

On Saturday, Thousand Oaks and Ojai topped out at 98 degrees while Oxnard registered 81 and Point Mugu was 74, Hoffer said.

A humid 78 degrees in Ventura prompted some to hit local beaches.

Sherri Buckland of Ventura spent her second consecutive day at the beach with her son, nephew and a family friend. On their way home, the group hosed down at a small fountain next to the Holiday Inn on California Street.

Jerry Goldman decided to spend the weekend with his wife, Margie, in Ventura to escape the heat of Claremont, where it is 20 degrees warmer.

Near the end of a three-week California vacation, Rich Summers of Tempe, Ariz., said he was happy to spend the day at the beach in Ventura, rather than at home in Arizona, where it was 115 degrees when he left.

But overcast skies were cause for complaint for some beach-goers.

“It could be warmer. It could be sunny,” Craig Richardson of Saugus said.

The heat has also prompted a surge in memberships at the YMCA Fitness and Aquatic Center in Thousand Oaks, which has an indoor pool.

“Weekends are normally slow but since it’s so hot, people want to get in the water,” YMCA staff member Meghan Cilley said.