The Brief

Shivering in your sleeping bag on a freezing cold night camping is an experience that many can relate to.

But California summer camping in hot weather can be equally unpleasant — not to mention potentially dangerous.

Heat-related illness is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease and Control. And at the very least, hot weather in the forecast can dampen your plans for a fun-filled weekend of camping, that is, if you’re not prepared.

But if you’re worrying about sky-high temperatures on your next summer camping trip, rest assured, there are ways to get the most out of even a broiling hot campsite.

Keep reading for tips from the experts on how to keep safe, keep cool and keep having fun while camping during super hot weather.

Seek out shade — or make some

Look for a spot with ample trees for shade, away from valleys or even a space on a ridgeline for more wind.

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If you’ve got plans to go inland toward the heat and can’t change them, finding — or bringing — shade can be a lifesaver.

If you have flexibility with your choice, site selection is key here. Look for a spot with ample trees for shade or that’s away from valleys, or even a spot on a ridgeline for more wind.

Worried that your campsite might be too exposed? Sports Basement rental operations manager Mateo Sanchez recommends renting a pop-up canopy to create your own shade, which you can even set up above your tent to keep your sleeping space sheltered from the hot sun.

Make sure you’re dressing right for the heat

This may sound counterintuitive, but wearing more clothes can sometimes keep you cooler. Put on generous amounts of sunscreen, but also look for shirts with a UPF rating or that are made of natural fibers like linen, cotton or even lightweight wool, and won’t be as stuffy.

Covering up means your skin stays cool and protected from the sun’s harsh rays, and you’re less likely to get a sunburn.

“You always want to dress in layers,” California State Parks Central Valley District spokesperson Amber Sprock said. “Even if it’s hot, it may cool off in the evening.”

Bring a hat and sunglasses to keep you comfortable even while you’re out and about. You can even dunk your hat, a bandana or your clothes into cold water to keep cool. To combat sweaty feet, leave the hiking boots at home and opt for mesh-topped running shoes or sandals if you don’t plan on hiking.

The bottom line, Sanchez said: “Stay out of the sun.”

Create ventilation for your tent

Sometimes, all it takes to turn a boiling hot campsite into a summer paradise is a strong breeze. So set up your site to take advantage of any wind that comes through the area by looking for perches like ridgelines up and out of valleys and sites that aren’t enclosed by dense forest or buildings on more than one side. If your tent has mesh windows, aim them toward the source of the wind.

Pitch your tent to take advantage of the morning shade by tracing the sun’s path backwards toward the east and finding trees that might block it in the morning — and so long as there’s no rain in the forecast, leave your rain fly off the tent. That will allow for more ventilation to run through your sleeping area to keep you cool at night.

You can even disassemble your tent during the hottest part of the day to avoid it heating up on the inside. Skip the bedtime campfire and the sleeping bag if it’s too hot, or try out sleeping in a hammock in the shade to avoid a stuffy tent entirely.

Going to bed early and starting early can also keep you from waking up in a pool of your own nighttime sweat.

And if you’ve got the space, consider bringing a portable fan that’s solar or battery powered or a large box fan and a generator to your campsite to help create your own wind. Or, you can choose to camp in a spot like Anthony Chabot Campground in Castro Valley that has full electricity, sewer and water hookups — typically used by RVers — even if you’re just tent camping.

“In the hookup sites, people have all kinds of things,” Anthony Chabot Campground Park Supervisor Maurice Quince said. “I’ve even seen people with misters on the side of their pop-up tents.”

A strong crosswind will also help disperse bugs like mosquitoes, as they tend to be active during the summer months.

There are many ways to keep your campsite cool in high summer heat.

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Plan activities during morning and evening

Sprock, whose district covers Central Valley parks like Caswell Memorial State Park in San Joaquin County — one of the hottest areas in the state — said she recommends getting an early start to your day or delaying strenuous activities so you’re not out in direct sun during the hottest part of the day.

“If you have a hike you want to do, or you have some outdoor picnicking you’d like to do, maybe planning it earlier in the morning or later towards the evening is better so you can avoid that heat,” she said.

Caswell is situated on the Stanislaus River and has plenty of shade from its oak riparian forest, making it an ideal pick for hot-weather campers who want plenty of access to cool shade and water.

And while you’re out and about, don’t forget to bring lots of water, Sprock said. A cooler full of ice and cold drinks, especially those with electrolytes, will help you keep your body hydrated and your temperature in check — and you can use the ice water it creates as relief for your neck or back.

Most of all, it’s OK to pause what you’re doing, get out of the heat and stay safe during midday.

“If you know it’s gonna be 105,” Sprock said, “make sure that there is a place for you to take a break — either in your vehicle or on a shaded picnic bench.”

For your next trip, head toward cooler temperatures

While some areas of the country have been experiencing a heat wave this summer, parts of the Bay Area have been largely spared and are even reporting colder-than-normal summer temperatures. That’s in large part due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which brings ample fog to the California coast.

So if you’re worried about heat while camping in the future, consider heading away from inland locations and out toward the ocean — where wind and fog will keep you cooler.

A couple climbs a pilaster to get a view south to the coastline of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along California Highway 1 on May 2, 2021, in Big Sur, California.

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“Our rule of thumb is: ‘When it gets hot, head more towards the coast,’” Sports Basement’s Sanchez said. “That’s going to be cooler nine times out of 10.”

Alternatively, you can always go up in altitude — think Tahoe or the High Sierra, where temperatures tend to stay below the 90s during the day and cool down rapidly at night, especially if you camp outside the Lake Tahoe Basin itself.

Plan to camp near water

If you’re planning to stay close by, consider camping near a river or lake where you can take frequent dips to stay cool. For example, some non-Lake Tahoe lake spots that are still within a few hours’ drive of the Bay Area may be less crowded once school is back in session.

Stacy Wyman, who manages Gold Country Campground Resort in Amador County’s Pine Grove, said the hottest months bring their peak visitation, between May and October.

That’s also when their swimming pool and spray park are open to keep visitors cool during the heat of the summer.

“On holidays, especially when it’s super hot, we’ll even have water games,” Wyman said.

Just remember — if you’re planning to cool off in a fast-moving river, stay aware of the dangers, and don’t forget your life jacket.

A refrigerated warehouse operated by Lineage Logistics has burned in Boyle Heights for nearly a week. Public health officials are urging residents nearby and downwind to protect themselves from the smoky air.

But what exactly is in the air is still unclear.

Authorities say they’ve cleared the most hazardous materials — ammonia and lithium-ion batteries — from the fire zone. A spokesperson for the L.A. Fire Department said foam insulation, wood pallets of food, and solar panels on top of the 500,000 square-foot building continue to smolder.

Materials including plastics, electronics and even rotting meat are likely burning, which means the pollution particles emitted “tend to be highly enriched with toxic organics, toxic metals, that are above and beyond what just normal, day-to-day air pollution would look like,” said UCLA air pollution researcher Yifang Zhu.

She said air quality indexes may capture the concentration of particulate matter in the air, but not necessarily the specific toxins in them.

“You'll have almost like a double jeopardy in a sense that the levels [of particulate matter] are higher, and the toxicity is also higher,” she said.

Measuring heavy metals or volatile organic compounds requires special monitoring equipment, Zhu said.

“It’s very difficult to measure,” she said.

But she suspects at least some types of health-harming heavy metals are likely to be in the smoke.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado on Monday called for more specifics about what is in the smoke.

People “shouldn't have to guess about what they're breathing or rely on rumors, scattered information and updates, and incomplete information,” she said at a news conference. Jurado, whose council district includes Boyle Heights, added that data from regulators, such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District, should be released in clear, understandable language in English and Spanish.

The South Coast AQMD told LAist before Jurado spoke that the agency has monitors that measure particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, but not other types of pollutants. The agency said it has set up additional monitors at Eastman Avenue Elementary and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. The agency added that the Environmental Protection Agency is also monitoring air quality at the fence line of the facility. LAist has reached out to the EPA for details.

Zhu added that even when the fire is eventually put out, the cleanup can kick up even more pollution — a lesson learned through her research after the L.A. fires.

“ I think people really need to take precautions,” Zhu said, emphasizing that those closest to the fire and downwind should avoid being outside as much as possible, keep windows closed, run a HEPA or MERV 13 air filter, and wear an N95 or similar mask otherwise.

UC Irvine toxicology professor Michael Kleinman said if thawed meat is also burning, that could lead to further toxic gases being released.

Experts urged precautions, especially if you smell smoke.

“ For people who are very close to the fire, like the firefighters themselves, they have exposure to both particulate matter and potential toxic gases, and that's why you'll see them wearing respirators,” said UC Irvine chemistry professor Suzanne Blum. “But once you're some feet away from the building, then the primary concern is the particulate smoke that is coming from this fire.”

As the Boyle Heights warehouse fire burns into its sixth day, SoCal residents are increasingly concerned about the air quality and potential health risks that come with breathing in the smoke. So, what alerts have been issued so far and how can residents be prepared?

Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on Saturday, a designation that helps California coordinate with local agencies to make sure there are enough resources for the firefight and residents who have been affected after a fire started at a cold storage industrial facility. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said at a press conference Monday that  the county is "delivering supplies, air filters, and air purifiers" to local households.

Los Angeles County public health officials and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) also issued a particle pollution advisory that remained in effect until today. Affected areas included: Central Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, East San Fernando Valley and Northwest San Bernardino Valley.

Although recent air quality readings appear as “moderate” to “good” on South Coast AQMD’s website, the fire is still burning and might be for a few more days.

So what can SoCal residents do to protect themselves?

If the air quality index reads “good” or “poses little to no risk” in some areas, hazardous ash can still be present. If you see ash on your car, or windowsills, you might want to stay inside if possible. In “moderate” or yellow zones, unusually sensitive people are also recommended to avoid longer periods outside.

In the next few days, some might notice windblown ash floating in the air or coating outdoor surfaces. These particles are otherwise known as “fine particulate matter,” which consists of soot, burned plastic and perhaps even traces of the spoiling frozen food from inside the warehouse.

Why that matters

Too much exposure from these materials may cause temporary irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. If you suffer from health issues that are exacerbated by poor air quality, like respiratory illnesses, you may be affected by these conditions even more.

Four expert tips to protect yourself and your family:

• If you smell smoke or see ash, try to remain indoors with the windows closed. If you can’t, consider stepping outside with an N-95 mask, and refrain from engaging in any rigorous physical activity. 
• In your homes, also avoid using whole house fans (air conditioning is okay), as they can bring in the polluted air from outdoors. 
• If you have an air purifier, this is the time to use it. 
• Avoid using fireplaces, candles and vacuums, as they can introduce toxins into the clean, indoor environment.

For more guidance on precautions following the fires, visit Los Angeles County’s public health website for more. South Coast AQMD’s website also has more healthy and safety tips.

Updated June 22, 2026 at 16:22 PM ET

Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi has broken the record for most World Cup scoring.

Messi made the record goal, his 17th, during the first half of Monday's game against Austria. It was a heated match. Austria attacked relentlessly, and Argentina relied on its defense and on goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez. And, near the end in stoppage time, Messi scored again, finishing off at 2-0.

The team captain started off the World Cup with a bang: in the opener against Algeria, Messi scored a hat trick: three goals. A rare feat in soccer. He has scored all five goals for Argentina this World Cup. With the win, Argentina advances to the knockout round.

Messi hails from the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, an area known for producing excellent players. He faced challenges at an early age: he had a hormonal growth deficiency, which was difficult to treat in his hometown, given the severe economic crisis facing Argentina in the late 1990s. By 2001, the Messi family had decided to accept an offer for him to join La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, in Spain. Messi was 13 years old.

It was at Barca that he rose to fame and developed his unique style of walking the pitch, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to jump on the ball, dribble skillfully past his opponents, and score.

Argentina's Lionel Messi, now the all-time World Cup scoring leader, celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group match against Austria.

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Although a legend of Barca and European soccer, he often expressed a desire to play for the Argentine national team in a World Cup. He got his chance in his 20's, but it wasn't smooth: he was widely seen as a foreigner who had not paid his dues in the Argentine soccer system. His measured, calculating style of play was often misunderstood in South America, where players tended to have a quicker, more aggressive technique.

There were several World Cup attempts that were disappointing, and after the 2016 World Cup, he announced he would not be playing again. "It's over," he said outside the locker room, visibly shaken. "I tried so hard, it is unbelievable, but it hasn't worked. Me and this team are through."

The tides turned under the leadership of Argentine Coach Lionel Scaloni, and Messi led the team to a Copa America victory in 2021. Argentina won the World Cup the following year.

This is Messi's sixth World Cup and he's considered one of the best players in soccer history.

Messi also surpassed Brazilian superstar Marta, who had scored 17 goals at the Women's World Cup.

Copyright 2026 NPR

More than two dozen state historic parks are free through the end of the year in honor of Juneteenth — and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the free “special edition Historian Passport,” which typically costs $50, as a rebuke to President Donald Trump’s attempts to “rewrite the past,” according to a news release by the governor’s office.

Since his inauguration, Trump has ordered staff working at all National Park Service locations to remove any content that casts Americans in a negative light from parks, monuments and memorials.

“California doesn’t hide from hard truths and uncomfortable history — in fact, we embrace it and learn from it,” Newsom wrote.

Until July 6, Californians can download the state historic park pass for free and use it as many times as they want through the end of 2026. The pass gives free entry to state historic parks for up to four people.

The Historian Passport grants entry to more than 30 state historic parks, including parks like Olompali and Malakoff Diggins which, rather than just providing outdoor recreation, also have an educational emphasis on the state’s history.

Jack London State Historic Park in Napa Valley, California.

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Many of these parks tell the story of the state’s cultural or indigenous history, from missions and museums to temples and the site that sparked the California Gold Rush.

Newsom made a similar move to make state parks free for Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, in response to Trump’s decision to eliminate the holiday from the list of fee-free days at national parks across the country, replacing it with his birthday on Flag Day.

How to get your free Historian Passport for up to four people

You must make an account with the state’s reservation site ReserveCalifornia.com to obtain a Historian Pass. Then, visit the site’s Advance Passes page and select “Special Edition Historian Passport” from the dropdown menu, which will show as costing $0. No payment information is required.

After checking out, you’ll receive an email with an attached PDF version of your Historian Passport.

The state recommends you print off this PDF to present at any California state historic park for free entry, although you may just be able to show the image on your phone too.

Bear in mind that cellphone service may be poor at many state historic parks, so it’s worth screenshotting the PDF to save it as an image on your phone in case you’re unable to search your email.

Looking for free entry to other state parks that aren’t included in the Historian Passport? Consider checking out a parks pass from your local library, which provides these passes as part of the California State Library Parks Pass program.

KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this report.