Officials prepare for sizzling July 4th at Fort Vancouver

Clark County Public Health offers these tips for preventing heat-related problems:

• Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

• Limit intake of drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.

• Never leave anyone, especially young children, in a closed, parked vehicle. That includes pets.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

• Rest often in shady areas.

With Clark County’s hot streak forecast to stretch through the weekend, Independence Day at Fort Vancouver organizers are gearing up for a warm Fourth of July celebration.

“We’re always set up for worst-case scenario, in terms of heat,” said Cara Cantonwine, the event’s director of programs.

That means taking extra steps to ensure visitors and volunteers stay cool.

Clark Public Utilities and the city of Vancouver are sponsoring two free water stations where visitors can grab a cup of cold water or fill up reusable water bottles. The stations will be at the north side of the event grounds on Evergreen Boulevard and the south end on Fifth Street.

Vendors also will be selling a variety of cold drinks, as well as shaved ice and other icy treats, Cantonwine said.

Visitors can bring their own coolers full of ice and drinks, too, Cantonwine said. But leave the alcohol at home, she said. Alcohol can be purchased at the event and is only allowed in designated areas.

The trees on the event grounds provide shady seating for those trying to escape the sun. Visitors also can bring their own sunshades, Cantonwine said. Organizers just ask that shades are not staked into the ground.

“Another great way to cool down is to participate in the water balloon tosses in the kids zone,” Cantonwine said.

Commercial and arts vendors also likely will have goods for sale that can help people beat the heat, she said.

Organizers have taken steps to help keep event volunteers hydrated and cool, too.

All volunteers will receive a reusable water bottle. Tents will be set up to provide shade for volunteers, and an ice truck also will be on site. Each volunteer tent will have sunblock, Cantonwine said.

“We are going to try and make sure everyone stays cool and hydrated throughout the day,” she said.

Should any medical issues arise, American Medical Response Northwest will have two staffed ambulances, on the east and west sides of the event grounds. The event also will have a basic first aid station staffed by volunteer nurses. The first aid station will be at the picnic shelter by the National Park Service visitor center.

“We’ve been really blessed to not see very many medical issues,” Cantonwine said.