Beat the Heat

Summer time is in full swing in Wisconsin.  Temperatures have been mostly mild through the month of June with one short hot spell.  Heading into this holiday weekend the predicted temperatures are to be in the 90’s with higher humidity making it feel even warmer. 

Now is the perfect time to brush up on the terms and dangers associated with high temperatures.

Know the Terms

            Heat Wave

            Prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity.

            Heat Index

            A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.  Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees.

            Heat Cramps

            Muscular pains and spasm due to heavy exertion.  Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal the body is having trouble with the heat.

            Heat Exhaustion

            Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or working a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs.  This results in a form of mild shock.  If not treated, the victim’s condition will worsen.  Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

            Heat Stroke

            A life-threatening condition.  The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working.  Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

            Sun Stroke

            Another term for heat stroke.

Heat Facts

Summer heat waves are the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornado and other storm-related deaths.  In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses.

Citizens of the State of Wisconsin can be seriously affected by sever heat and it is essential that we increase the awareness of the dangers of heat waves and the protective actions which can be taken by citizens.

National Weather Service Heat-Wave Program in Wisconsin

Outlook Statement

Issued 2 to 7 days in advance of when Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning conditions are anticipated.  Issued as a Hazarous Weather Statement (HWO).  Broadcasted on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and posted on NWS websites (www.weather.gov).

Heat Advisory

Issued 6 to 24 hours in advance of any 24-hour period in which daytime heat index (HI) values are expected to be 105-110 for 3 hour or more and night-time HI values will be 75 or higher.  For west-central and northwest Wisconsin, numbers are 105-114 and 80, respectively.

Excessive Heat Watch

Issued generally 12-48 hours in advance of any 24-hour period in which daytime HI values are expected to exceed 110 for 3 hours or more and night-time HI values will be 80 or higher.  For west-central and northwest Wisconsin, numbers are 115 or higher and 80 or higher, respectively.

Excessive Heat Warning

Issued 6 to 24 hours in advance of nay 24-hour period in which daytime HI values are expected to exceed 110 for 3 hours or more and night-time HI values will be 80 or higher.  For west-central and northwest Wisconsin, numbers are 115 or higher and 80 or higher, respectively.

During a Heat Emergency

1.    Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car – even briefly.  Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes!

2.    Keep your living space cool.  Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in.  If you don’t have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate.  When it’s hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body.  Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.

3.    Slow down and limit physical activity.  Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.

4.    Drink plenty of water and eat lightly.  Don’t wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals. 

5.    Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.  Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don’t forget sunscreen!

6.    Don’t stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should.  Take extra care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.

7.    Infants should drink breast milk or formula to get the right balance of water, salts and energy.  You may supplement your infant’s fluids with an additional 4 to 8 ounces of water per day, but don’t dilute formula beyond what the instructions say (unless instructed by your doctor).

8.    Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down.  A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner.  Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.

People at higher risk of a heat related illness include:

·         Older adults

·         Infants and young children

·         People with chronic heart or lung problems

·         People with disabilities

·         Overweight persons

·         Those who work outdoors or in hot settings

·         Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems

·         People who are isolated that don’t know when or how to cool off-or when to call for help

Columnaris Affects Upper Bass Lake

A Columnaris fish kill was recently discovered on Upper Bass Lake on the reservation.  While it is infrequent on the reservation it does happen every few years. Affected fish that are still alive will be swimming slowly and may appear to have a cotton like lesions around their mouths.  The Wisconsin DNR has also put out information regarding the potential for Columnaris outbreaks and can be seen below.

The heavy rains and flooding have added additional organic material to waterways, making conditions ripe for fish kills caused by a bacterial disease called Columnaris.
Columnaris fish kills generally occur throughout the state during May and June each year and should not be confused with the viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus which is a new disease feared to be spreading inland from the Great Lakes. Both diseases only infect fish species and are not a health risk to humans. However, people should not eat fish killed by Columnaris or VHS, and should wash their hands if they handle infected fish, because other bacteria that may be harmful to humans start feeding on the dead carcasses.
“The Columnaris bacteria is most prevalent in our lakes after water temperatures reach 65-70 degrees from late May to late June,” says Larry Damman, DNR fishery biologist. The bacteria levels increase after major rainfalls that supply additional nutrients on which the bacteria thrives into area lakes. VHS fish kills tend to occur at temperatures less than 60 degrees.”
Bluegill, crappies, yellow perch and bullheads, already stressed from seasonal spawning activities are most affected by Columnaris. The bacteria erode the fishes’ skin, causing leakage of bodily fluids and a fairly rapid death.
Although Columnaris can appear to produce large scale fish losses in a matter of several days, it usually does not have a catastrophic impact on overall fish populations, according to fishery biologists.
Columnaris was recently found in bluegills, crappies, and other panfish in Dane and Kewaunee counties. As waters warm more fish kills may be expected.