Firefighters offering cool treat

Firefighters around Snohomish County are helping keep people cool and safe today as temperatures to soar near record-breaking levels.

In Granite Falls, crews plan to spray water from hoses starting at 1 p.m. at Mountain Way Elementary School, said Bill Gillam, a spokesman for Fire District 17.

At Lake Tye in Monroe, firefighters plan to spray water in the air beginning at 2 p.m., Monroe Fire District 3 spokeswoman Richelle Risdon said.

Arlington firefighters plan to do the same at 1 p.m. at Kent Prairie Elementary.

And more than just kids plan to go to the shores of Martha Lake today.

Firefighters plan to hand out water safety information and encourage people to take advantage of free life vests that are available to borrow, Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said.

As temperatures are forecast to break records today, officials are worried that people may get into problems in the water.

On Monday, a Seattle woman, 48, drowned after being swept away in the Skykomish River near Monroe.

If people are going to cool off at Snohomish County beaches, in Puget Sound or at the area’s many lakes or river, use extra caution, officials said.