With temperatures today expected to reach the upper 90s — potentially exceeding 100 degrees — Multnomah County will open one dedicated daytime cooling center from noon to 9 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 22.
The following cooling center location will be open from noon to 9 p.m. today:
- Bud Clark Commons Resource Center, 650 N.W. Irving St., Portland, operated by Transition Projects
The cooling center opening today will provide snacks and water. Pets are welcome.
This additional dedicated cooling center is just one part of the County’s work to offer relief, joining over 80 cooling spaces already open, including libraries, community centers, misting stations, fountains, pools, splash pads and malls.
All open libraries have regular hours today and will be open until 8 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, July 22, offering bottled water, electrolytes, cooling towels and respite from the heat. Remember that some libraries are closed for construction.
Flyers with Wednesday’s cooling center location can be downloaded and printed/distributed:
- Flyer with map of location - English
- Flyer with map of location - Spanish
- Flyer with photos of building entrance - English
- Flyer with photos of building entrance - Spanish
- Two-sided flyer (map on one side, photos of building entrance on other) - English
- Two-sided flyer (map on one side, photos of building entrance on other) - Spanish
Always visit multco.us/hot for the latest information in case new locations are added or cooling centers open additional days.
From 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, TriMet won’t turn away anyone who is going to a cooling center who cannot otherwise pay their fare. Please tell your bus operator you are heading to or from a cooling center. If someone needs help finding a cool space today or for transportation assistance to a cooling location, they can dial 2-1-1 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The Homeless Services Department in partnership with the County’s Office of Emergency Management activated its enhanced outreach program on Monday, July 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.
On July 20 and July 21, the County provided outreach teams with 13,104 bottles of water, 560 reusable bottles, 1,120 cooling towels, 1,400 electrolyte packets and 1,400 sunscreen packets.
On Tuesday, July 21, a cumulative total of 141 people came to the County’s cooling center at Bud Clark Commons. The 19 libraries across the County served a total of 8,180 people during the hottest parts of the day, between 12 and 8 p.m. 211info received more than 30 calls for heat-related questions and requests.
Health Department officials reported heat-related emergency departments and urgent care visits were elevated Tuesday, with at least seven visits. 911 calls also were elevated Tuesday, at 387, including seven heat-related dispatches.
During emergency weather activations, the Medical Examiner’s Office reports any suspected heat- or cold-related deaths. As of Tuesday, the Medical Examiner reported there were no suspected heat-related deaths that have occurred during the declared state of emergency. The County will issue a news release if that changes and any suspected deaths are reported.
Heat worsens air pollution
Elevated heat worsens air pollution, causing air pollution to accumulate and create ground-level ozone (also known as smog). Multnomah County continues to see some smoke intrusion and hazy skies. To protect public health, the Health Department is continuing a mandatory wood burning restriction for residents in Multnomah County that went into effect on July 21, and will be lifted when conditions improve.
Recreational fires, agricultural burning and backyard burning are not allowed. These restrictions do not apply to cooking, but residents are encouraged to stay alert and use caution. If you are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing or worsened asthma symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider.
The restriction comes alongside the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board-issued burn bans for fire safety since June 15, 2026, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s ozone advisory, which has been in effect since the morning of Tuesday, July 21, and is expected to last until 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22.
Health officials emphasize that managing extreme heat remains the top priority, as overheating is more dangerous than smoke exposure for most vulnerable individuals. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and your family from heat and smoke. Residents should check air quality before opening doors or windows and adjust or limit outdoor activities. Cool, clean indoor air is the best way to protect yourself. For more tips, visit multco.us/smoke.
State of emergency declared; other resources available
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency due to dangerous temperatures. The emergency is in effect through at least 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Cooling centers and enhanced outreach are just some of the layers in the County’s response to hot weather. Over 80 cool spaces are listed on this interactive map, including community centers, libraries, misting stations and splash pads.
Communication before and during a heat event is also a core part of the County’s response — letting vulnerable people know that heat is dangerous, sharing who is most vulnerable to heat illness and how to recognize its signs, and sharing strategies so people can keep themselves, their families and their neighbors safe.
The Health Department is running a heat awareness campaign this summer on audio streaming services and radio with messages focused on men over 50 and veterans. The County is also running a paid social media campaign for the rest of the summer focused on heat safety.
The Department of County Human Services is actively contacting vulnerable community members directly and has distributed cooling towels and other resources to community-based organizations, multi-family communities and more.
DCHS informs community partners, apartment managers and landlords throughout the year and ahead of heat events about cooling spaces, as well as resources about heat safety, energy efficiency programs and direct tenant support to help them and their residents navigate heat waves. DCHS also partners with community-based organizations — including Meals on Wheels People, the Center for Positive Aging and others — to spread the word about heat and encourage those without air conditioning to seek cooling spaces.
In addition, DCHS has performed outreach and training consistently throughout the year to help community members prepare for hot weather and ensure there are additional staff and volunteers to support cooling centers if and when cooling centers open. DCHS has also collaborated with other local government and regional partners to identify mobile home parks for adults aged 55 and over to connect with for focused outreach.
The department’s Weatherization program also assists older adults and families with no-cost home energy efficiency upgrades all year long.
Heat doesn’t affect everyone equally: Who’s most at risk?
The County’s responses to extreme heat and cold are varied based on the community members shown to be most at risk.
Unlike extreme cold — when people living outside are most at risk and when shelter and housing can be the difference between life or death — extreme heat is most dangerous for housed vulnerable people who do not have air conditioning or do not run it because of cost.
From 2022 to 2025, there were 17 confirmed heat-related deaths in Multnomah County. Individuals were mostly men, single, older than 60 and had underlying conditions. Nearly 90% were housed at the time of death. Heat has also particularly affected male veterans who may try to “tough out” a heat wave. Overall, male veterans accounted for a significant share of all recent heat deaths.
High temperatures can also be especially dangerous for people spending prolonged time outdoors, the very young, pregnant individuals, those over 50 and people with health conditions.
Officials warn that cumulative days of heat — especially in apartments with no air conditioning — will increase risks especially for people who are homebound, elderly, or have a disability or underlying health conditions.
It's important to take precautions like hydrating, scheduling outdoor exercise or yardwork for the cooler hours, and making a plan to spend time somewhere cool. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you see symptoms in yourself or someone around you, call 9-1-1 and seek immediate medical care.
Stay informed and check on your community
If you are concerned someone is in heat distress, ask if they need help finding a cool space.
Heat illness requires action and possibly medical attention. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you're not comfortable approaching someone, call the City of Portland’s non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 and request a “welfare check.” For medical emergencies, call 9-1-1.
- Help for When It's Hot: Latest information from the County on cooling centers, health and safety.
- 211 Info: Call to find the nearest cooling center and for transportation support.
- Public Alerts: Sign up to receive safety alerts in your area.
- National Weather Service: Check the forecast and plan outdoor activities for the coolest times of day.
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection: 24-hour information and assistance to older people, people with disabilities and caregivers. Connect with them at 503-988-3646 or adrc@multco.us.
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