Kern County cooling centers to start operating Wednesday

This year, the Kern County cooling center season will begin Wednesday and run through Sept. 22, according to county officials.

Kern County General Services, in cooperation with PG&E, the Department of Aging and Adult Services, and other Kern County agencies and districts, will open cooling centers throughout the county when temperatures are forecast by the National Weather Service to exceed certain highs. Cooling centers open in the San Joaquin and Kern River valleys when the temperatures are forecast to be 105 degrees or higher, in the desert areas when temperatures are forecast to be 108 degrees or higher, and in Frazier Park when temperatures are forecast to be 93 degrees or higher. The centers will be open from 1 to 8 p.m.

The cooling centers daily report will be issued by 11 a.m. on the day before the centers open. Weekend cooling center openings will be released by 11 a.m. Friday. Monday cooling center openings will be released by 11 a.m. Sunday.

Residents using the cooling centers are encouraged to bring their favorite nonalcoholic beverages, snacks, reading material, games, etc., to better enjoy the centers.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with the California Department of Public Health, all cooling center visitors are required to wear face coverings. Visitors who have a fever or are exhibiting symptoms should not visit a cooling center. Physical distancing is encouraged.

Cooling centers confirmed as of this date include:

■ Bakersfield: East Bakersfield Veterans

Building, 2101 Ridge Road

■ Bakersfield: The Mission at Kern County, 816 E. 21st St.

■ California City: Strata Center, 10350 Heather Ave.

■ Frazier Park: Frazier Park Recreation Building, 3801 Park Drive

■ Lake Isabella: Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd.

■ Maricopa: Gusher Hall, 271 California St.

■ Rosamond: Hummel Community Building, 2500 20th St.

■ Shafter: Walker Senior Center, 505 Sunset Ave.

■ Taft: Taft Community Center, 500 Cascade Place

CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO Brittany Gibson, a senior nutrition worker for Meals on Wheels, helps monitor the cooling center at the East Bakersfield Veterans Building as the temperature reaches 109 degrees, in this July 2021 file photo.