For REAL NEWS ... GET INFORMED! TODAY at San Javier Murcia Airport, Spain LOW Cost Ads! --- THE Newspaper for the COSTA CALIDA --- FREE Ad. Design Service! Home Contact Local News Worldwide Amusing Stories Classifieds Clubs/Societies Emergency & Useful Numbers Horoscope Pharmacy Rotas To the EDITOR Advertising Rates, etc. Newspaper Subscription Mail Direct to the Editor Issue 184: 27/08/10 - 09/09/10 WELCOME to the FRONT PAGE It's a Heat Wave! The heat wave beating down on the Costas is set to continue throughout the rest of August and September. The high temperatures, which have reached an astounding 40 degrees in many southern regions including Murcia, Valencia and Almeria, are due to a very warm air mass drifting over from northern Africa. According to the predictions of the Meteorological Agency (AEMET), this warm air mass is expected to keep thermometers oscillating around the 30 degree mark throughout September. The region of Murcia has already been on yellow alert for several days and will increase to a red alert for Friday and this weekend, as hotter temperatures are on the way. Temperatures are expected to peak around 46 degrees Celsius in Murcia, Andalusia, Extremadura and south of Castilla-La Mancha next week. The head of AEMET, Angel Alcazar, said, "It's been a hotter summer than usual because, although the temperatures are not very striking, half are above the usual norm for this time of year." Whilst he may not feel that the temperatures have been "striking" reports have been flooding in of heat exhaustion and sunstroke. The intense heat has put the region of Murcia on high alert for forest fires as acres upon acres of forest and shrub land are literally bone dry. Given this forecast, Murcia's Emergency Department has issued a statement reminding people that it is strictly forbidden to start any type of fire in shrub land and mountain areas, even in areas specifically set aside for this purpose. The Murcian Health Department has issued recommendations to drink plenty of water frequently without waiting to feel thirsty, to use an appropriate sunscreen, to stay out of the sun during the hottest times of the day between 12 and 4 and to take special care monitoring the sick, elderly and children. Remember the sun can be glorious and have tremendous health benefits when enjoyed safely; it can also be one of man's worst enemies if overindulged in with serious risks to health causing sunstroke, skin cancer and dehydration.