A dangerous late-season heat wave has prompted Multnomah County to open two daytime cooling centers Thursday and Friday from noon to 9 p.m., with extended hours also available at specific libraries.
With temperatures forecast to reach 100 degrees during the day and barely dip into the 60s at night, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency effective at 10 a.m. today, Sept. 5, through Friday evening.
The high heat will put everyone at risk, but especially people who are living, working and playing outdoors. Older people living alone without air conditioning, particularly men over 50, are also at risk.
“Heat does not affect everyone equally,’’ said Health Officer Dr. Richard Bruno. “Of the 85 people who died of heat between 2021 and 2023, two out of three were men over age 50. Most individuals died alone at home or in their apartment without air conditioning.”
Dr. Bruno is advising everyone to check on adults over 50 living alone. He also urges everyone to avoid prolonged periods outside during the hottest part of the day, drink more water, and spend whatever time possible inside in an air conditioned space or other cool area. Find cool spaces are listed on this interactive map of splash pads and other sites. Portland Parks & Recreation splash pad and interactive fountain locations and up-to-date hours can be found here.
The County’s cooling centers will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 6, at:
- Cook Plaza, 19421 S.E. Stark St., Gresham — staffed by Cultivate Initiatives
- Portland Covenant Church, 4046 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland — staffed by Do Good Multnomah
TriMet won't turn away anyone riding to or from a cooling center who cannot pay fare between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 6.
Riders should tell their bus operator that they are heading to or from a cooling center. Prepare for riding during extreme heat at trimet.org/heat. Be prepared for the heat, stay well-hydrated and be sure to check trimet.org/alerts before you travel for the latest on delays.
Anyone needing additional transportation help should call 211.
On Thursday, Sept. 5, Multnomah County Library will keep the Central Library (801 S.W. 10th Ave., Portland) open until 8 p.m., along with several other branches regularly scheduled to remain open until 8 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 6, Central and Gresham (385 N.W. Miller Ave., Gresham) libraries will extend their hours until 8 p.m. Libraries will also have bottled water on hand, to provide additional places where people can go during the hottest parts of the day and evening. Visit the Library’s website for hours of operation for all library locations.
Hours will also be extended today at Transition Projects’ Bud Clark Commons Resource Center (650 N.W. Irving St., Portland) until 6:30 p.m.
Find more at the County’s Help for When it's Hot website: multco.us/hot.
Fire danger and high ozone pollution
The National Weather Service has also issued a Red Flag Warning to include all of Multnomah County through 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.
Ozone pollution levels are also high and unhealthy for sensitive groups. The 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, mowing the lawn and painting until the heat wave passes.
Due to high heat and 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 third warm season wood-burning restriction, also called a red day, of 2024.
The County’s air quality burn restriction goes into effect today at noon, and will be lifted when conditions improve, which is expected later this week. 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. Residents should check air quality before opening doors or windows and adjust or limit outdoor activities.
Outreach continues; stay informed and check on your community
Multnomah County’s Department of County Human Services this week will continue to contact providers, as well as vulnerable people living in older buildings without air conditioning, with information on heat safety and resources that will be available during the heatwave — with a concerted effort to reach residents in Gresham, Rockwood and downtown Portland. The department also distributes cooling kits to community-based organizations.
The Department also distributed cooling kits to five Portland Public schools in higher heat areas including Clark, Kelly, Lent, Vestal and Woodmere elementary schools.
The Joint Office of Homeless Services on Wednesday, Sept. 4, began expanded street outreach, working with outreach teams, mutual aid groups and community volunteers to coordinate outreach efforts and bring hot weather gear to people living without shelter across Multnomah County. That coordinated outreach will continue through at least Friday, Sept. 6.
While the heat risk to people living outside is well understood, many people don’t realize how dangerous heat is to older adults, young children and people with health conditions such as heart disease. The majority of those who died in Multnomah County of extreme heat during the June 2021 heat dome and heat waves since then were men over the age of 50 who were living alone in their own homes and either didn’t have air conditioning or had not turned it on.
People are urged to take steps to protect themselves, including cooling their home, staying hydrated and watching for signs of heat illness. Residents should check on their loved ones and community, especially people living alone and who don’t have access to good cooling. People planning to work or play outdoors should avoid the hottest part of the day, take frequent water breaks and consider rescheduling activities until after the heat wave ends.
If you are concerned that someone may be in distress because of the heat, you can ask how they're doing and if they need help finding a cool space.
Heat illness requires action and possibly medical attention. If someone is confused, loses consciousness, or has red, hot skin — this could be heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. If you're not comfortable approaching them, you can call the City of Portland non-emergency line at 503-823-3333 and say “welfare check.” If you see someone having a medical emergency, call 911.
- Help for When it's Hot: Latest information from the County on cooling centers, health and safety.
- 211 Info: Call to find the cooling center nearest you 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 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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