No doubt about it – summer is here and triple digit temperatures are expected to be the hot topic this week. The National Weather Service is predicting highs around 101 degrees today, with a bump up to 102 Tuesday and Wednesday. Evening lows are expected to hover between 65 and 70 degrees and breezes may top out at 25 mph.

Three cooling centers supported by the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles are open in the area for use by the public:

Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, 22900 Market St., Newhall (hours 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F)

Valencia Library, 23743 West Valencia Blvd., Valencia (hours 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday)

JoAnne Darcy Canyon Country Library, 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country (hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday)

A complete list of county cooling centers is available by dialing 2-1-1, the L.A. County Info Line.

Those living or working in the Antelope Valley will have to put up with a little more sweating, as highs out there are expected to hover around 107.

Low humidity brings with it high fire danger and there is also a slight chance of evening thunderstorms across the mountains and into the Antelope Valley Wednesday through Friday. The continued hot conditions combined with the threat of lightning will maintain elevated fire weather concerns through the rest of the week.

Persons planning to be outdoors early in the week should practice heat safety tips, which include keeping your body hydrated with plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.

The Los Angeles County Emergency Survival Program (www.espfocus.org) has issued a list of safety precautions for those who must go outside:

* Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the burning rays are the strongest.

* Reduce physical activity

* Wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors

* Avoid hot, heavy meals that include proteins

* Set your air conditioner between 75 and 80 degrees. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and visit a public air conditioned facility

* Drink plenty of fluids even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcohol

* Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.

* Don’t forget about pets, they need plenty of water and shade.

Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst.