Help for When It's Hot

Information about cool spaces, cooling centers and other resources during the hot weather.

Updated Saturday, Aug. 23, 10:15 a.m.

Multnomah County and its partners will open two daytime cooling centers from noon to 9 p.m. today, Saturday, Aug. 23, to provide relief from the dangerous heat.

The cooling centers will be open today from noon to 9 p.m.:

Three Multnomah County library branches will stay open today until 8 p.m., two hours later than normal:

All other library locations will have normal Saturday hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.); always confirm hours and locations before you go. Remember that some libraries are closed for construction.

Flyers with Saturday's cooling center locations are available in English and Spanish. (Alternate versions of flyers with photos of building entrances in English and Spanish.)

Check this interactive Multnomah County map showing more than 70 cool spaces you can go to cool off, including libraries, community centers, malls, interactive fountains, swimming pools and splashpads. 

From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, TriMet won’t turn away anyone who is going to a cooling space and who cannot otherwise pay their fare. Please tell your bus operator that you’re heading to or from a cooling space. 

County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency Friday, Aug. 22, that lasts through at least 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25.

Certain groups most at risk of heat-related illness

With temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees again today and remain in the upper 90s until next week, this heat wave will be the highest heat risk event of the year so far, because of the cumulative effects of multiple hot days in a row. People facing the highest risk of heat-related illness include:

  • Men over 55 who live alone
  • People without access to air conditioning
  • Pregnant people
  • People on certain medications
  • People who work in hot indoor or outdoor environments
  • People engaging in strenuous or new outdoor recreational activities (especially children on turf fields)
  • People who have consumed alcohol

Visit this page to learn about the symptoms of heat illness and how to respond. This information and printable materials are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Somali.

The County encourages people to check in on neighbors, friends and relatives; show up with water and a snack! Take action and make a plan together for getting them to cooler places, even for a few hours. Homebound people with no air conditioning are at greater risk as indoor spaces get steadily hotter. 

>> Learn about the symptoms of heat illness and how to care of yourself and others during hot weather. << 

Air quality poor; inside in a cool place is safest

The heat is also driving poor air quality. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory for the Portland Metro area due to high ozone levels (smog) through 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25.

Ozone pollution levels are high and unhealthy for sensitive groups. The Multnomah County Health Department advises that the safest place for everyone with respiratory illness is inside in air conditioning. And everyone can help improve air quality by postponing unnecessary driving, gas-powered yard work and painting until the heat wave passes.

Due to elevated ozone levels, the Health Department is issuing a mandatory wood burning restriction for residents in Multnomah County. The restriction comes alongside the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board-issued burn bans for fire safety. This is the first “red day” wood-burning restriction of 2025.

Stay safe during weekend events and recreational activities

There are several large outdoor events this weekend, including athletic events, and people should be especially mindful of the risks of heat exposure if they choose to attend or participate. Event organizers are preparing for the heat, and community members should do the same.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Know the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Practice prevention by staying hydrated, taking breaks in the shade and using cooling towels or misters to avoid a dangerous rise in body temperature.

Public health officials urge people participating in the Hood to Coast relay race this weekend to be aware of themselves and others on the route. Maintain awareness of your location on the route and call 911 if you see signs of heat stroke. Skipping relay legs during the hottest part of the day is a good option for staying safe.

If you plan to seek relief from the heat in waterways, please swim and splash safely. Be aware of swift currents, cold water temperatures, hidden hazards and uneven bottom surfaces. 

Everyone should take care when working or playing outside in the midday heat. Remember to drink more water and take cooling breaks. Even a few minutes of cooling can help prevent heat illness.

How to help a person showing distress

If you see a person starting to show some distress from the heat, do everything you can to safely encourage them, or assist them, to get to a cool (ideally air-conditioned) space. If a person is unresponsive or not making sense, stay calm and call 911 to request help. For a non-emergency situation call 211; in the city of Portland, you can also call 311.

Worker safety

People who work outside are encouraged to drink plenty of water and take breaks in the shade. Under Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) rules, outdoor workers are entitled to shade, breaks and water. Employers are responsible to protect their workers. Oregon OSHA has more information for workers about their rights under state law.

Know your rights: State restrictions on electricity disconnections 

Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power cannot disconnect your electricity service on days with a severe heat alert or for 48 hours after a severe heat alert was in effect. Severe heat alerts include Heat Advisories, Extreme Heat Watches and Extreme Heat Warnings. The National Weather Service has put an Extreme Heat Warning in effect starting 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, through 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Learn more about your protections and how to contact your provider if your power is disconnected.

Prepare your home for the heat

Take steps to prepare yourself for future hot weather and keep your home summer-ready. Keep an emergency supply of water storage — whatever your space allows. Consider buying sun-blocking curtains, and stock up on sunscreen, cooling towels and other summer essentials. Consider using a box fan if it’s under 95 degrees and add a filter if the air quality is poor.

County supporting the community during the heat

The County has been working proactively to prepare the community for the heat. The Department of County Human Services has been monitoring the weather and has been getting cooling kits to community partners and sharing messaging about heat safety to 700 property managers and community partners. The department has also prioritized reaching vulnerable people that are isolated in their apartments, including focused outreach to senior centers and congregate meal settings.

The Homeless Services Department in partnership with the County’s Office of Emergency Management activated its enhanced outreach program on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and began distributing cooling supplies to outreach teams, mutual aid groups and volunteers who will provide them to people experiencing homelessness across the county. From Aug. 20 to Aug. 22, the County provided outreach teams with 26,136 bottles of water, 1,000 reusable bottles, 2,000 cooling towels, 2,5000 electrolyte packets and 2,500 sunscreen packets.

Support our community

Interested in supporting our community during future heat events? Prepare now to help out as an emergency shelter volunteer if Multnomah County opens cooling centers or shelters (Disaster Resource Centers) and requests help from community volunteers. Attend an upcoming info session or training in September.

Consider hosting a misting station. Or work with the Office of Emergency Management to create a Disaster Resource Center.

Bookmark these links

  • National Weather Service: Check the forecast and plan outdoor activities for the coolest times of day.
  • 211info: Dial 211 to find a cool space nearest you and to learn about transportation options.
  • Public Alerts: Sign up to receive health and safety alerts in your area.
  • Heat Risk Map: The National Weather Service forecasts heat risk for vulnerable populations.
  • Clackamas County: Find cool spaces in Clackamas County.
  • Washington County: Find cool spaces in Washington County.