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Bilbao Activates Heat Defense with Water Jets and 134 Climate Shelters

The City Council advances the opening of fountains and urges citizens to take extreme precautions against the heatwave.

Close-up of water jets from a modern fountain in a city park, with blurred green trees and a contemporary building facade in the background.
IA

Close-up of water jets from a modern fountain in a city park, with blurred green trees and a contemporary building facade in the background.

The Bilbao City Council has bolstered its measures against the heatwave by opening water features early and establishing 134 climate shelters, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups.

The Bilbao City Council has issued a call to citizens for hydration and protection from high temperatures. As an immediate measure, the activation of water jets located near the Guggenheim Museum and in the children's area of Parque Etxebarria has been brought forward.
The council has placed special emphasis on the most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as dependent individuals and those with health issues. The primary recommendation is to avoid sun exposure and refrain from physical exertion during peak temperature hours.
Among the disseminated guidelines, the importance of ingesting between 1 and 1.5 liters of water or natural juices daily, even without feeling thirsty, is stressed. Light meals such as salads, vegetables, and fruits are advised to replenish mineral salts. It is also recommended to keep homes cool by lowering blinds during the day and opening windows at night.
For personal care, frequent cooling with showers or damp towels is recommended, along with the use of fans or air conditioning. When going outside, wearing light clothing, using sun protection, sunglasses, and covering the head are advised. Additionally, it has been reminded that pets also require more abundant hydration and a cool place to rest.
The council insists on the need to pay close attention to the symptoms of heatstroke. Warning signs include red, hot, and dry skin, rapid breathing and pulse, headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, fever, or even disorientation and loss of consciousness.
To help citizens cope with the heat, Bilbao offers 134 climate shelters, of which 68 are indoor and 66 are outdoor spaces. According to the council, this network serves almost the entire population, as 96% of Bilbao residents are within 300 meters of one, and 43% are within 100 meters.
Indoor shelters include spaces such as libraries, civic centers, sports facilities, transport stations, museums, and shopping centers. These generally air-conditioned locations provide water and resting areas for anyone to cool down.
Outdoor shelters, on the other hand, are green areas of the city whose vegetation and shade offer natural protection against high temperatures. Alongside these, the city's fountains and water features serve as a fundamental ally for cooling off and hydrating during the hottest days.

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