San Francisco officials say city is unprepared for rising heat waves

City officials warned that San Francisco's infrastructure and residents are not adequately equipped to handle more frequent extreme heat events. The San Francisco Department of Public Health highlighted gaps in cooling centers, housing conditions, and emergency response plans, noting that the city's reputation as "Fog City" does not protect it from dangerous temperatures. Officials urged the city to develop comprehensive heat‑wave strategies to protect public health as climate patterns shift.

The warning comes as the region experiences hotter summers than historically typical, prompting calls for immediate action to address vulnerable populations.