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Extreme temperatures make an early appearance in North Texas before Memorial Day

Temperatures are expected to hover at or above 100 degrees for much of the next week across the state.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Temperatures are expected to hover at or above 100 degrees for much of the next week across the state. Some North Texas agencies are taking precautions to protect their employees as well as the public.

The month of May already broke records, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. ERCOT manages power distribution to about 90 percent of the state. On May 16 and May 17, ERCOT reported record demands for power. The company said Thursday it does anticipate high demand and the potential for another new May peak demand record next week, but it does not anticipate issuing any calls for conservation.

With Memorial Day weekend being the first real exposure to prolonged heat, MedStar, which provides emergency medical services to 15 cities in North Texas, is taking precautions. The company responded to 8 heat-related calls on Thursday alone, bringing the total in the month of May to 24. MedStar is loading its ambulances with extra gear such as saline bags for IV’s and ice packs to treat people suffering ill effects from the heat.

“We’re really concerned about what we’re going to be looking at going into this weekend,” said Chief Strategic Integration Officer Matt Zavadsky. “What we do find interesting is that in this early part of this heat wave or hot temperature, the severity of the heat-related illnesses is actually more severe now than it will be later in the summer.”

He added, “It’s likely that our bodies are not ready for this hot weather yet, so our reaction is more severe.”

Zavadsky said MedStar encourages its crews to stock up with coolers of water and Gatorade to take on the road with them.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) also provides its maintenance crews with water, sunscreen, sun shades, tinted goggles, and shirts that help wick away sweat.

At the Fort Worth Zoo, public relations manager Avery Erlander said no extra measures were needed, as animals simply acclimate to the extremes.

“This is just another summer here at the zoo and just like our animals acclimate to colder temperatures in the winter time, they also adjust to warmer temps in the summer,” she said. “They have pools and water features in their habitats. There are plenty of shaded areas and some of our animals even have access to their indoor barns should they choose to go inside.”

Each day, animals get an enrichment activity, and during the hot summer months, trainers might provide them with big blocks of ice with fruit frozen inside. The animals cool off while working their way to the treat inside. She added that the zoo offers shaded walking trails and some indoor attractions, should guests want to take a break from the heat.

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