(Washington, DC) The District of Columbia government will partially activate its multi-agency heat emergency plan in response to the 98° heat index forecast for today by the National Weather Service. The city’s heat plan is activated when the heat index (an accurate measure of how hot it really feels when the effects of humidity are added to the high temperatures) reaches 95°.

DC Emergency Management Agency Director Barbara Childs-Pair, coordinator of the District’s heat plan, said the District will open cooling centers today, at 1 pm, at four locations: 441 4th Street, NW, 2000 14th Street, NW (Reeves Municipal Center), 3720 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, SE, and 25 M Street, SW. Additionally, she said emergency homeless facilities will be open today as cooling centers and the United Planning Organization will provide water throughout the day for persons staying on the street. Department of Parks and Recreation will operate selected swimming pools from 12 noon until 8 pm.

Mrs. Childs-Pair said the very young and the very old are at greatest risk during heat emergencies. Persons with compromised immune systems and individuals who take certain types of medication should also exercise caution. The heat emergency plan is designed to provide relief to these most vulnerable segments of our population. Mrs. Childs-Pair cautioned pet owners to exercise caution with their pets, as well. She said pets should not be locked in parked cars nor left outside for extended periods of time.