High school football players take a water break during practice at Grass Lake High School. (Samantha Madar | MLive.com)

Meagan Beck

Michigan is having a fall heat wave

The state of Michigan is having a heatwave.

Some places in Michigan are in a fifth day in a row of record high temperatures, and it is the fourth day in a row for others.

The heat wave has caused several school districts across the state to cancel or dismiss early. During the weekend, some events were canceled or delayed to keep people from overheating.

Here are some ways the late-September heat has been impacting various Michigan cities.

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Kalamazoo residents play in water as it squirts from a fire hydrant on June 12, 2017. This week the city of Kalamazoo opened seven fire hydrants to help residents stay cool from the 90 degree heat. (Carly Geraci | MLive.com)

School's out, but it's not summer anymore

Several school districts across the state have called for early dismissal and for parents to make attendance decisions based on what is right for their student.

As temperatures started to rise late last week, schools in Grand Rapids and Jackson closed early on Friday, Sept. 22.

Others followed suit Monday, Sept. 25, including more in the Grand Rapids area, Owosso Public Schools and in the Kalamazoo area.

Kalamazoo Public Schools did not call for an early release, but issued a statement that said, "Parents should have students dress appropriately for the weather in light and/or loose fitting clothing, and feel free to send water bottles and ice packs to help students stay cool."

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A field is empty Saturday afternoon at Ella Sharp Park. Five cross country races had to be cancelled because runners were collapsing due to heat exhaustion. (

Danielle Salisbury | MLive.com

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Jackson sees record heat, events canceled

On Thursday, temperatures in Jackson were predicted to break or tie record highs. The city had its hottest fall day since it began keeping record in 1944.

Five cross country races were cancelled Saturday, Sept. 23 at Ella Sharp Park after several runners collapsed due to heat exhaustion.

Athletic trainers, Jackson firefighters and Jackson Community Ambulance paramedics treated an estimated eight to 10 runners as temperatures climbed toward 90.

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In this MLive file photo, D'Andre Brown of Flint sits on a crate in the middle of Jean Avenue in Flint while cooling off from the heat in the spraying water of an open fire hydrant in his neighborhood.

Flint breaks record set in Great Depression

The city of Flint experienced its hottest Sept. 21 since the Great Depression, according to the National Weather Service.

The record of 90 degrees set in 1931 was beat when the temperature reached 91 degrees.

Flint's average high for this time of year is 70 degrees.

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In this MLive file photo, a Detroit Lions player is shown in the scorching 90-degree-plus heat during training camp at SVSU.

High school football games start late

The first day of fall was Friday, Sept. 22, but several high school football games kicked off at a later start in an effort to beat the summer-like heat.

Five Kalamazoo-area in addition to some Grand Rapids-area and Jackson-area high school games saw a late start.

While not all games started later, many athletic directors and coaches took precautions.

The MHSAA has a heat protocol with mandated actions depending on the heat index, which is taken before and during each athletic contest, inside or outside.

If the heat index is between 80 and 95 degrees, schools must provide water and breaks. Between 95 and 99 degrees, players must remove their helmets and the contest or practice is delayed until the heat index goes down.

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Michigan State linebacker Chris Frey (23) looks to tackle Notre Dame's C.J. Sanders (3) at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Notre Dame won the game over Michigan State, 38-18. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)

Spartans play in record warmth

On Saturday, the Michigan State football team played against Notre Dame in record warmth.

The record high for the Lansing area for September 23 was 90 degrees in 1891, but the East Lansing area was predicted to warm up to 94 degrees.

Perhaps the Spartans couldn't take the heat. They were defeated by Notre Dame, 38 to 18.

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Apples at the Schweitzer Farm, on 9 Mile Rd. NW, near Baumhoff Ave., Comstock Park Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

Heat threatens Michigan apple harvest

The warm temperatures are a threat for Michigan apple growers, particularly those who harvest sensitive varieties such as Honeycrisp, Sweet Tango and Goldens.

Michigan Farm Bureau Horticultural Specialist Kevin Robson said Michigan's apple growing belt is seeing record temperatures as growers enter the early stages of the annual harvest.

"The consumer isn't going to see a difference in quality," Robson said. "It's the farmers that have to take the added precautions in preparing them for storage."

Apple growers are also forecasting lower than normal crop this year.

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Photo courtesy of National Weather Service.

Detroit to see record highs still

As the heat continues into this week, Detroit is expected to see record, or near-record, high temperatures.

Temperatures are expected to reach 88 degrees on Monday and 89 degrees on Tuesday with sunny and partly cloudy skies, according to the National Weather Service.

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Justin Langlois and Hiba Abdallah's ArtPrize entry "EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE" at VandenBerg (Calder) Plaza in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. (Cory Morse | MLive.com)

Keeping cool at ArtPrize

The heatwave came just in time for the first weekend of Grand Rapids' ArtPrize Nine, which continues through October 8.

While many entries are outside, there are some indoors. A network of enclosed skywalks allows visitors to go to four venues without leaving the air conditioning.

Check out the guide to an air conditioned ArtPrize 2017 here.

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MLive File Photo.

How to spot 5 heat dangers

The heat has led to an increase in children and adults going to emergency rooms with heat-related illnesses, according to Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health.

The health system has offered tips on how to tell if you're at risk of a heat stroke, or other heat-related illness, and how to prevent it.

"With several days approaching where temperatures will exceed 90 degrees, it is important to follow these tips if you are going to be outside for an extended period of time," the hospital wrote in a release.

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