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A fire that gutted a two-story home on Forshay Road in Ramapo on Wednesday is under investigation. None of the residents of the home was injured, but several firefighters who battled the blaze in the extreme heat were taken to the hospital for heat and smoke-related issues. Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht says the single-family home was occupied by a family on one floor and a boarder and his aide on the other …

Raphael Ziegler is the president of the Brewer Fire Engine company in Monsey and was a guest on “Who Wants to be a Volunteer” on Friday to discuss the fire. Ziegler said social media criticism of the length of time it took to respond to the fire and the number of volunteers needed for it is overblown…

Around 70 firefighters from a dozen departments assisted in bringing the blaze under control. Firefighters were rotated in every 10 to 15 minutes due to the heat from the weather and the fire conditions.

Congestion pricing is coming, and tolls on the new Tappan Zee bridge are likely to go up in the coming years, and commuters and local officials are concerned about that. Clarkstown legislator Harriet Cornell says tolls need to be reasonable for west-of-Hudson travelers…

The new Toll Advisory Panel, which met last week to gather comments in Tarrytown and Nyack, follows the start of Cashless Tolling at all seven of the Thruway’s fixed-price barriers. Thruway tolls are frozen through at least 2020 due to a $2 billion infusion to the Thruway Stabilization Fund included in the state budget.

An Air Quality Health Advisory has been issued for the Metropolitan area, including Rockland County. Air Quality Health Advisories are issued by the State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation when levels of outdoor pollution are expected to exceed national air quality standards and be unhealthy for sensitive groups. The county is also warning people to be careful as temperatures are expected to rise this weekend, and Stony Point supervisor Jim Monaghan says the Roh building is open during normal business hours as a cooling center…

Rockland’s health department says you should limit outdoor activities during peak ozone hours. Outdoor activities should be scheduled for the morning hours when ozone levels are generally lower. Also, never leave children, pets or people with special needs in a parked car, even briefly. Temperatures in the car can become dangerous within a few minutes. For more tips on keeping cool, and a list of other cooling centers in the county, click here.

https://on.ny.gov/2sMjixU

Use air-conditioning to cool down. If you do not have air conditioning, spend time in air-conditioned places such as libraries, movies, malls, or other public buildings during the hottest hours of the day. Cooling centers are places where people may go to cool down during hot weather. Visit https://on.ny.gov/2sMjixU for a list of cooling centers near you or call your town or village. Before going to a cooling center, it’s important to call ahead to make sure it’s open, as some cooling centers are only open during regular business hours or officially declared heat emergencies and extreme heat events.
Drink plenty of fluids – don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink more fluids. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot. Make sure children and older adults are drinking water and ensure that persons with mobility problems have adequate fluids in easy reach.
Beat the heat with cool showers and baths.
Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Avoid activities that involve a lot of energy or effort during the hottest part of the day (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and take many breaks from physical activity.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
Wear sunscreen and a lightweight hat (straw or mesh is best) when outdoors, even if it is cloudy.
Talk to your healthcare provider about any medicine or drugs you are taking. Certain medications can increase the risk of sun or heat-related illness. Be aware that some medicines can cause skin to burn more easily or affect the body’s ability to sweat and stay cool. Talk to your doctor about possible heat or sun-related side effects of your medication and do NOT stop taking medication unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
Check on your neighbors, such as older adults or those in poor health, to see if they need assistance.
Pets can suffer from heat-related illness too. Never leave your pet in a parked car. Cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures quickly, even with a window cracked open. Roads, sidewalks and gravel can get very hot and burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible, and bring lots of water on walks.
For more information about keeping cool in the summer heat, visit the New York State Department of Health website at www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/hot/

The governor signed legislation yesterday that sets a goal of reducing all greenhouse gas emissions in New York State by 85% by 2050. Andrew Cuomo also announced two offshore wind power projects expected to generate 1,700 megawatts of power …

The projects would also create 1,600 union jobs and over $3 billion in economic activity. Former Vice-President Al Gore says the green energy industry will be a leading provider of jobs in the future…

The goal is to have a carbon-free electricity system in about 20 years.

A local program that helps the homeless is looking for volunteers to help with its breakfast program in Spring Valley. Kathy Lathrop of Helping Hands of Rockland says the Rockland Interfaith Breakfast Program needs help with food prep and service on Mondays and Wednesdays…

The program operates at the Church of the Nazarene, formerly the United Church of Spring Valley, located at 11 East Church Street in Spring Valley. To volunteer or for more information, call Chris or Bert Hughes at 845-548-8421.