By Dan Egan
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE — With a beastly heat wave on its way, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett cautioned city residents Saturday afternoon to take it easy for the next few days.
“We’ve been waiting for months for summer, and it’s here,” a casually dressed Barrett said in front of the splash area at the Gordon Park playground in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood.
The mayor urged residents to take advantage of waterparks and other activities that will keep them cool, except for one time-honored tradition: frolicking in illegally opened fire hydrants. He said that can cause a dangerous drop in water pressure that can cripple firefighting efforts.
“Hydrants are not to be opened,” he said. “It’s against the law to open those hydrants.” Barrett said he expected county parks with pools and splash areas to extend their hours over the next few days, though he said that is a county decision.
Jeff Bentoff, speaking for Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, said Saturday that county parks officials are closely monitoring the weather conditions and will determine on a day-today basis whether to extend pool hours. Hours were not extended on Saturday.
The forecast calls for temperatures to climb this afternoon into the mid-80s, though it will be slightly cooler at the lakefront.
Temperatures will continue to climb over the next couple of days into the 90s, and the heat will be coupled with dangerous high humidity.
That could pose health issues for some, said city Health Commissioner Bevan Baker.
“While we have a public health threat, it doesn’t have to be a public health disaster,” Baker said.
“Enjoy the weather, enjoy the water sports. But watch the children, pets and elderly.”
Copyright 2011 Journal Sentinel Inc.