Unusually warm weather, combined with the ongoing problems of smoky air, is prompting Placer County to make the community rooms in four county libraries available for residents, who would like a cooler place to be.

In addition, the city of Roseville's three library branches – Downtown, Maidu and Martha Riley – have been designated as cooling centers to visit for a respite from the weather. The Downtown Library at 225 Taylor St. will stay open until 8 p.m. tonight through Friday. The Maidu and Martha Riley libraries will be open regular hours -- until 7 p.m. today and tomorrow and until 5 p.m. Friday.

The Lincoln Twelve Bridges Library, 485 Twelve Bridges Drive, Lincoln, is also open and operating as a cooling center for Lincoln residents. Hours of operation are 1-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 1-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cooling centers opened from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday in county library community rooms in Loomis, Granite Bay, Rocklin and Auburn and will be available through Thursday as needed. County officials believe that libraries are well suited to provide a comfortable, familiar place to stay until the temperatures cool.

A county message line at (530) 886-4636, and the county Web site at placer.ca.gov will be kept up to date should there be changes.

The National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning has predicted temperatures in excess of 100 degrees with nighttime temperatures remaining above 75 degrees for the next three days.

Dr. Richard Burton, Placer County health officer and director of health and human services, is encouraging residents to take precautions for good health during this hot weather. Most at risk are the elderly, chronically ill and very young, who need special attention.

However, all residents should use good judgment and watch out for heat exhaustion and heat stroke during hot weather.

Burton offers the following tips:

- Avoid strenuous activity during the day. Schedule strenuous activity during the early morning when it’s coolest.

- Don’t use the oven. Eat cool foods such as salads.

- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. If you need to work outside, take more breaks. Wear a hat and use sunscreen.

- Take cool baths and showers or sponge off with cool water.

- Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages.

- Some medicines make you more sensitive to heat stress. Check with your doctor or pharmacist.

- Check in on older friends and relatives living alone.

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Addresses for the county libraries are as follows:

Auburn Library, 350 Nevada St., Auburn.

Loomis Library, 6050 Library Dr., Loomis.

Granite Bay Library, 6475 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay.

Rocklin Library, 5460 Fifth St., Rocklin.