Sizzling sun saps Triangle

Out of school, out in the sun, out of breath -- nothing like an August heat wave to take it out of you. People, pets and plants are complaining. Though hurricanes and tornadoes are more dramatic, this kind of heat, doleful in the morning, oppressive by the afternoon, is more dangerous. It saps life. It sucks up precious water.

When the temperature hits 85, take hourly breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Drink plenty of water and watch for the usual heat illness symptoms: cramping, rapid pulse, hot red skin, dizziness, confusion, nausea and vomiting.

In fact, if you're not already in the shade or basking in the AC, this would be a fine time to get there.

DROUGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA

The air is damp, but the ground is dry. Even the coastal counties are abnormally dry, and the rest of North Carolina is in a drought.

* A large section of the Piedmont, including eastern Wake County, is at heightened risk of forest fire because of prolonged dry conditions.

* Reservoir levels are falling as water evaporates. Eight municipal water systems in the state are under mandatory conservation rules, and three dozen are asking customers to reduce water use. Durham's Lake Michie and Wake County's Falls and Jordan lakes are all below normal.

* The high pressure system causing the heat is also keeping the air from moving out of the area, creating a double health threat: elevated ozone and particulates. Asthma and emphysema sufferers will notice the ozone. Heart patients also need to limit strenuous outdoor activity because of the particulates. So far, hospitals are not seeing an uptick in emergency room visits.

PROTECT YOUR PETS

Hot, are you? At least you're not wearing fur.

Even thicker than the air this week are the coats of about 150 dogs awaiting their fate at the Wake Animal Control, Care and Adoption Center. And they're without the benefit of air conditioning.

Jane Tzilvelis, a volunteer, has taken it on herself to cool the canines as best she can.

"I get a washcloth, and I bring it in and talk to the dogs in their cage," she says. "I tell them how wonderful they are, and I start doing a sponge bath on them. I wash their ears and their feet pads. It does make a huge difference."

Other things people can do to help animals survive a heat wave:

Leave them home: Don't take pets anywhere you'll have to leave them in the car.

Keep them shaded: Animals sunburn like people, so if they're outside, make sure they have access to shade.

Provide water: Leave plenty of clean, cool water, with no ice, which can shock their systems.

Beware of hot surfaces: Hot sand and scorching pavement can blister the feet pads.

Limit exercise: Walk dogs only in the cool hours of the morning or late evening.