COEUR d’ALENE — Brothers Zachariah, Josiah and Samuel Graves found a quick way to cool off Wednesday: Leap into the Spokane River.

But their leaps didn’t start from shore. Try the top of a post at Atlas Waterfront Park, among their summer hangouts.

“We usually come here,” said 14-year-old Zachariah Graves as he and his younger brothers took turns climbing the post thanks to planks attached by someone to serve as a ladder.

Atlas park, like other swimming holes, was swamped with young and old trying to beat the heat on yet another in this string of summer scorchers in North Idaho.

Fast-food restaurants with ice cream were popular and air-conditioning units and fans were in demand. Others sought simple shade for relief.

The Atlas dog park was busy, too, with canines chasing sticks tossed into the river.

“He loves the water,” one man said of his black Lab that wouldn't return to shore.

Climatologist Cliff Harris said it hit a high of 97 Wednesday and it could be 100 today. In the next week, the low could be 88 degrees on Monday, if you consider that low. Then, it’s back to the high 90s. Don’t expect things to cool down to the 70s until mid-September.

“This is one of the strongest heat waves ever here,” Harris said.

Coeur d’Alene could challenge the record of 38 days over 90 degrees set in 1961. So far, it’s had 24 days over 90. Normal is 25.

“And we got off to a late start,” Harris said, noting the first 90-degree day didn’t come until July 12.

It's both hot as heck and dry as dirt.

Harris said it’s rained a mere four one-hundredths of an inch over the past month, making it one of the the driest areas in the U.S.

“This is officially a drought,” Harris said.

According to Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, fire danger in the area is “very high,” and because little or no rain is in the forecast, that won’t change soon.

The city of Coeur d’Alene has produced about 40 million gallons of water per day for the past week, with today expected to be even more, in the 42 million range.

City of Coeur d’Alene Water Superintendent Terry Pickel said he does not anticipate the city will ask residents to cut back on water use.

“We have plenty of capacity this year with the new well,” he wrote. “But I always urge conservation for good practice.”

Kootenai Health reported it has not seen a marked increase in patients for heat stroke and related problems.

The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department also reported it has not responded to calls related to heat exhaustion over the past several days.

Community members who are at risk of heat-related issues and do not have resources to combat the heat are invited to The Kroc Center.

“Extra seating and bottled water will be on hand in the community rooms for the vulnerable public who would benefit from a cool space to rest and find some relief,” a Kroc Center press release said.

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library, which is air conditioned, has not seen an influx of people trying to find relief from the heat.

Library Director Michael Priest said from July 27 to Aug. 1, the average high was around 98 degrees and the library’s door count over that period was 3,748.

From Aug. 10 to Aug. 15, the average high was around 88 degrees and the library’s door count over that period was 3,731.

Harris said the area will likely not cool down into the 70s until mid-September.

“If you like extremes, that’s what we’re going to get,” he said.