Fairfax County cooling centers are stocked and open for the rest of the summer after a heat wave that killed at least 44 people nationally and broke more temperature records in Virginia than in any other state.

The county confirmed its most recent Heat Plan activation on Sunday, the fifth consecutive day the emergency protocol had been triggered. Residents can check whether the plan is currently active on the Fairfax County website.

Virginia shattered 150 heat records during the July 1–4 stretch, including six all-time highs, according to USA Today. Heat index values reached 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit across Northern Virginia, and the National Weather Service issued Extreme Heat Warnings for the D.C. metro area through Friday.

Local impact

The heat forced changes in Vienna. The town's Independence Day Celebration on Saturday was delayed from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. An outdoor concert at Nottoway Park featuring the Eric Scott Trio was canceled entirely on July 2, a decision Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay attributed to protecting "the health and safety of attendees, performers, volunteers, and staff."

Cooling centers and supplies

County cooling centers open during normal operating hours throughout the summer, whether or not the Heat Plan is formally activated, according to Fairfax County Emergency Information. When the plan is active, the county adds targeted outreach to unsheltered residents and people who cannot cool off at home.

Centers stock bottled water, sunscreen, insect repellent and body wipes. The county warns that HVAC failures can force unexpected closures, so residents should verify a location is open before visiting.

A full map of cooling center locations is available at the county's GIS portal: fairfaxcountygis.maps.arcgis.com. Additional resources are listed at fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/extreme-heat-resources.

Holiday weekend measures (now past)

Over the July 4 weekend, when most county buildings were closed, Fairfax County opened a 24-hour cooling center at the Jim Scott Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive in Oakton. The county's three emergency shelters in Bailey's Crossroads, Fort Belvoir, and Reston also took overflow capacity during that period.

Staying safe

Gov. Abigail Spanberger urged Virginians to take precautions in a post on X during the holiday weekend. Fairfax County recommends drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wearing lightweight clothing, checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors and never leaving children or pets in vehicles.

Residents can monitor future Heat Plan activations at the Fairfax County Emergency Information page.