HEAT WAVE WE'LL SIZZLE TILL WEEKEND, METEOROLOGISTS PREDICT.

Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - As the temperature approached 100 degrees Tuesday afternoon, public pools in the city quickly filled to capacity and Southern California Edison Co. officials urged residents to use electricity sparingly.

The sweltering heat is expected to become more intense in coming days and no relief is in sight until Friday.

``This is a fairly good heat wave for Southern California,'' said Clint Simpson, a spokesman for the National Weather Service. ``We've got some strong northerly winds that have brought the hotter desert air into just about all of Southern California, except for the beach areas.''

Hundreds of residents sought relief from the heat by soaking in the city's public pools. By afternoon, people were being turned away because the pools were filled to capacity.

``We definitely see a big increase at the pools in this kind of weather,'' said Doug Botton, city aquatics director. ``July is our busiest month and on days like this, we are maxed out.''

While some residents flocked to city pools, athletes from Saugus High School took to the field.

Members of the track team eagerly started a lap around a dirt track, laughing and yelling ``Run, run.'' Halfway through the lap, however, most had slowed to a walk.

After a brief rest, the team was sprinting across the football field.

``It feels like the sun is kind of killing me,'' said Ken Takeda, a 17-year-old member of the track team. ``I feel like a victim, but I feel like it's my obligation to be here.''

Track coach Keith Jones said he tries to pace the teens and provide plenty of breaks to drink water and run through the spewing sprinklers. And, he said, he keeps a close eye on the team members as they slog through two hours of sprints and jumps.

``I always look for signs of heat stroke - the red face, sweating, body composure, glazed eyes,'' he said. ``The key is to keep hydrated.''

Baseball coach Casey Burrill said he, too, keeps a close watch on his players to make sure they're not in distress.

``The biggest thing is to read the kids and look at the expressions on their faces,'' he said.

Some of the players, however, offer a different perspective.

``They work us until we can't breathe any more,'' said Matt Underwood, 15.

Teammate Josh Fogel, 16, however, said the heat doesn't bother him a bit.

``It's hot, but that's fine because we love the game,'' Fogel said.

Launching a year-round school schedule this month, Sulphur Springs Elementary School Principal Sandra Smith said she plans to keep children inside when it's too hot. However, she said no one has yet determined how hot is too hot because this is the first summer students have been on campus.

So far, students have been kept indoors only on poor-air-quality days, she said. Monday's air quality index was in the upper limits of the moderate range.

``This is Southern California so the kids are used to playing in the heat,'' she said. ``When we tell them they can't go outside, they don't understand. We have lots of shade trees and grass here, so that helps.''

During the summer, and especially during the heat wave, Edison officials urged residents to conserve electricity during the hottest parts of the day to prevent power outages.

``During this kind of hot weather, we ask people to do laundry at night, run their dishwasher during the evening and set their air conditioners no lower than 78 degrees,'' said Glenn Becerra, an Edison spokesman. ``In the Santa Clarita Valley, it's going to be hotter than other areas because it's further inland, so we need to be more conscious of energy-saving steps.''

Beat the heat

Heat is more likely to affect young children, elderly people and people with health problems. The American Red Cross offers the following tips on how to avoid heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Dress for the heat.. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or use an umbrella.

Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.

Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, usually in the morning.

Stay indoors when possible.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Saugus resident Christina Reese, 13, keeps cool in the water relaxing on a lane divider after dive practice at the Santa Clarita pool in Saugus on Tuesday afternoon.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News

(2) Members of the College of the Canyons football team cool off during summer football camp on campus Tuesday with a spray of water. Coaches say they keep a close eye on their players so they don't get overheated on when the mercury hits the century mark.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

Box: Beat the Heat (see text)