Heat advisory sends Valley families searching for relief at water parks, cooling centers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Triple-digit temperatures are forecast across the Valley, with a heat advisory in effect through Tuesday, prompting families to look for ways to stay cool ahead of the official start of summer.

At Wild Water Adventure Park, visitors are already seeking relief. The park recently opened its newest attraction, the Lost River, as part of its 52-acre facility.

"Being here with friends and family, it just makes everything special. It's like memories," said Brison, a Fresno sixth grader.

The Lost River is a horseshoe-shaped, three-foot-deep endless loop designed for floaters. About a dozen lifeguards supervise the attraction, and anyone under 48 inches tall is required to wear a life jacket.

"This is a way that a parent can have a peace of mind, the kids get the thrills, but they're in a safe environment," said Kathy Siggers, the park's co-founder and chief operating officer.

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Visitors say the park offers a welcome escape from the heat.

"I'd recommend this 100 percent. It's the best place," Brison said.

For those unable to make it to the park, the city of Fresno offers other options when temperatures reach or exceed 105 degrees. Cooling centers and community centers are available, including on weekends if extreme heat conditions warrant their opening.

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"The Community Centers are normally closed on the weekends, however, when the city does determine that they're going to open the cooling centers they will have them available on Saturdays or Sundays if it's a day they determined to be opened," said Josh Sellers of the Fresno Fire Department.

In addition, nine splash pads across Fresno provide free alternatives for families looking to cool off.

Whether at a water park, inside a cooling center, or at a neighborhood splash pad, local resources are helping residents manage the region's extreme heat as temperatures climb.

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