LA CROSSE COUNTY, WI (WXOW)—Thursday was another near record setting day in the La Crosse area as temperatures near 100 degrees.
The record high temperature for July 5, was set in 1874 and is 101 degrees.
Mayo Clinic Health System said so far this week its treated half a dozen people for heat related illness.
Gundersen Lutheran said its treated more people than usual feeling dizzy, weak, dehydrated or fainting from the heat.
Some people can avoid going outside in extreme weather, but others cannot.
The La Crosse County Highway Department was out fixing numerous road problems, including filling in cracks in the road on County Road Z.
The crew said they enjoy their job, despite the heat; and feel like they're lucky to have a job these days.
"You have your highs and your lows," Curt Wuensch, Light Equipment Operator said. "As you can tell, its pretty warm and its not easy to work today."
"It's whatever," Steve Knudson, Heavy Equipment Operator said. "You get used to it."
On top of the heat, they have to wear sleeved shirts, jeans and work boots to protect themselves from the 350 degree oil used to fix the cracks.
"Well, when you're pouring oil we have double layers on so it makes a difference," Knudson said. "It helps protect your legs from the heat of the oil."
Eric Grube, Mayo Clinic Health System Emergency Medicine Physician said people working outside have a higher risk of heat related injury.
He said signs of a problem are feeling extremely thirsty, hot, sweating or profusely.
Grube said biggest thing people are doing wrong is not drinking enough water.
"They're not taking into account the amount of fluid you lose just from sweating and by the time you realize that you're feeling thirsty or starting to get a headache because you're dehydrated you're kind of behind the 8 ball and its hard to catch up," Grube said.
The highway department hasn't a heat related injury; they think that's because they are taking plenty of water breaks.
"I think its more tiring than anything," Wuensch said. "It really drains you. You feel really pooped. It just drains you so bad."
