Cooling centers, water stations help Yuma residents beat the heat
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - As triple-digit temperatures return to Yuma, local organizations and community partners are stepping up to help residents stay safe during another intense summer season.
With extreme heat becoming a regular part of life in Arizona, officials continue to warn that heat-related illnesses can quickly become life-threatening if precautions are not taken. To help reduce those risks, cooling centers and water stations are available throughout Yuma County, offering residents a place to cool off and stay hydrated.
One organization helping meet that need is Crossroads Mission, which operates water distribution stations supported by donations from across the community.
“Water is a necessity. It’s very important to survive,” said Miguel Burciaga, Art Coordinator at Crossroads Mission. “Here at Crossroads Mission we have two water stations. The water you see here behind me is all being donated by donors of our community. By churches, by Yuma County and people just come together and they know the importance of having water.”
According to Arizona heat-related illness data, the state has experienced hundreds of heat-related deaths and thousands of emergency room visits in recent years as periods of extreme heat have become more frequent and prolonged.
For many residents, resources like cooling centers and water stations provide more than just temporary relief from the heat.
“It’s been really good,” said local resident Nicholas Wolfe. “Everybody here is really kind and they keep us hydrated. Keep us alive. I don’t know where I would be right now if I didn’t have this.”
Nonprofit organizations are not the only groups helping residents escape dangerous temperatures. Several libraries across Yuma County also serve as designated cooling centers, offering air-conditioned spaces where community members can rest during the hottest parts of the day.
At Heritage Library, staff members say they welcome anyone seeking shelter from the heat while also providing access to educational and community resources.
“We are here to offer a space where people can rest their feet,” said Noelia Rangel, Spanish Outreach and Library Assistant at Heritage Library. “We have water fountains. We have activities. We have books. We have internet. We have all these resources that we really just hope will help our community. And so we really welcome anyone that comes in needing any sort of help.”
With summer temperatures expected to remain in the triple digits throughout the coming months, community leaders are encouraging residents to drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and take advantage of cooling centers and water stations available across Yuma County.
Information about local cooling centers and water distribution sites can be found here.
