Why this guide matters right now

Houston-area heat safety isn’t just about comfort. Heat can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke—especially for people without reliable cooling at home or anyone who can’t safely travel to an air-conditioned place during dangerous heat.

The Community Foundation of Houston’s “Extreme Heat Resources | Summer 2026” hub is a connector to official cooling-center tools and the City’s heat emergency response guidance, including how 3-1-1 transportation can work for people experiencing homelessness.

Step 1: Find cooling centers before the hottest hours

City of Houston cooling-center map (when the City has a heat advisory). Houston OEM directs residents to check the City’s Cooling Center Map on its Extreme Heat page when the City is under a heat advisory.

Harris County cooling-center locations. ReadyHarris provides “Cooling Center Locations” information. The page notes the data is provided by Harris County Public Health and is based on information received from cities and utility districts—so when you’re traveling during an emergency, use the most current guidance available.

Step 2: Know heat-illness warning signs—and when to call 9-1-1

Houston OEM lists heat illness warning signs such as unusual heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, muscle cramping, nausea, and weakness.

For first response, Houston OEM advises moving the person to a cooler place and using a wet, cool cloth on the back of the neck. If the person is showing signs of heat stroke, the guidance says to dial 9-1-1 immediately.

Houston Health Department’s heat-stroke signs include a throbbing headache; red, hot, and dry skin (no longer sweating); extremely high body temperature (above 103°); nausea or vomiting; confusion; loss of consciousness; and a rapid, strong pulse. If those symptoms occur, call 9-1-1 immediately and work to lower the person’s body temperature until help arrives.

Step 3: Transportation help during a City heat emergency (3-1-1 rules)

If you don’t have adequate transportation to a designated cooling center during a City heat emergency, Houston Health Department says you can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride.

Important limits:

• Transportation is only to and from the City cooling centers.
• Transportation to other locations is unavailable.
• Eligibility and current transportation information are handled through 3-1-1 during the heat emergency conditions described by the City.

For live assistance through the City, Houston 311’s “City Functions A to Z” page says to dial 311. Some mobile users or people outside the Houston area may need to dial 713.837.0311.

Step 4: If the heat emergency plan isn’t activated, you can still seek air-conditioning

Houston Health Department says people may seek air-conditioning in city multi-service centers, libraries, and recreation centers even when the Public Health Heat Emergency Plan isn’t activated. For more information or to find the nearest cooling center location or an air-conditioned city facility, the guidance says people can call 3-1-1.

Quick checklist for the next heat spike

• Bookmark the City cooling-center map and check it when Houston is under a heat advisory.
• Use ReadyHarris for Harris County cooling-center locations, but rely on the most current emergency guidance during alerts.
• If someone may be having heat stroke symptoms (including above 103° or loss of consciousness), call 9-1-1 immediately.
• If you need a ride to a designated City cooling center during a City heat emergency and you don’t have adequate transportation, call 3-1-1—transportation limits apply.

Sources

• Community Foundation of Houston: “Extreme Heat Resources | Summer 2026” (published July 9, 2026)
• ReadyHarris: Cooling Center Locations (provided by Harris County Public Health)
• City of Houston Office of Emergency Management: Extreme Heat (Cooling Center Map + heat advisory guidance)
• Houston Health Department: City heat emergency plan (3-1-1 free ride + who it serves)
• Houston 311: City Functions A to Z (how to reach live assistance)

According to Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the city received 877 fireworks calls to 311 during the Fourth of July night. The Fire Marshal’s Office then issued 62 cease-and-desist orders on July 4, bringing the department’s 2026 total to 109 so far.

The Paper notes that some 311 calls may be duplicates for the same incident, so the 877 figure reflects call volume rather than necessarily unique addresses.

How Albuquerque’s cease-and-desist notices work

Albuquerque’s Fire Rescue guidance says addresses identified using illegal fireworks can receive a cease-and-desist order by mail. The city’s guidance and the notice template describe the order as an official notice that the owner and/or occupant was found to be in violation of city ordinance 0-19-63, Section 5609, based on testimony/witnessing by a member of Albuquerque Fire Rescue and/or the Albuquerque Police Department. The notice also says that if a second occurrence is recorded, illegal action may be taken.

Penalties the city says illegal fireworks can trigger

City guidance says using illegal fireworks is punishable by a citation and immediate confiscation. It also describes the violation as a misdemeanor with a mandatory court appearance, with penalties that can include a fine up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

What’s illegal in Albuquerque (and where)

The city’s fireworks guidance says the ordinance prohibits the sale and use of all aerial fireworks and ground audible devices within city limits. It also says fireworks are strictly prohibited in and around the Bosque or Open Space Areas.

On the prohibited-device examples list, the city includes aerial devices such as missile-type rockets, roman candles, shells, and stick type rockets. For ground audible devices, the city lists chasers (bottle rockets) and firecrackers.

Separately, the city says fireworks of any kind are not allowed to be discharged in the Bosque, open space areas, or city parks.

What residents should do next

If you’re planning a celebration this year, Albuquerque says compliance starts with the label and where you use fireworks:

• Read the label: if it says “WARNING,” it is illegal; if it says “CAUTION,” it is legal.
• Avoid the Bosque/open space areas and city parks: the city treats fireworks there as strictly prohibited.
• Use only the city’s permissible categories and keep fireworks away from homes, vegetation, and other combustibles.
• Report illegal fireworks: the city says you can report them online, via the ABQ311 mobile app, or by calling 311.

The city’s guidance makes clear that if addresses are identified using illegal fireworks, cease-and-desist orders can be issued by mail—along with potential citations and confiscation.

Key sources

• KOB.com (Jonathan Fjeld): AFR reported 877 fireworks calls and 62 cease-and-desist orders on July 4
• The Paper (ABQ): July 4 enforcement context and note that 311 calls may include duplicates
• City of Albuquerque Fire Rescue: Firework Ordinance & Safety (Illegal Fireworks Enforcement)