Stay cool and safe in Portland heat waves

Information

How to stay cool in extreme heat and hot weather. Find cooling centers, fountains, splash pads, and places to swim. Keep your home cool. Check on your neighbors. Stay hydrated.

On this page

Find a cooling space

In extreme heat, Multnomah County and the City of Portland will open cooling spaces, such as:

Cooling centers
Cooling shelters
Community centers
Libraries
Misting stations

Find a complete list at Multnomah County's webpage "Help for when it's hot."

Find cooling spaces near you on this interactive map.

There may be delays to TriMet service during hot weather. Learn about TriMet, MAX, and WES operations at trimet.org/heat.

For more information about cooling spaces, contact 211:

Dial 211 or 1-866-698-6155
TTY: dial 7-1-1 and call 1-866-698-6155
Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211) – M-F from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Email help@211info.org – Response within 24 hours
Download the 211info app from the Apple App Store or the Android version from the Google Play Store.

Find cooling spaces in Washington County.

Find cooling spaces in Clackamas County.

Find a place to splash around

Portland Parks & Recreation maintains interactive fountains that stay on through the summer. It’s OK to play in them! We also activate splash pads starting June 14.

Find fountain and splash pad locations and hours.

For details on other Portland Parks & Recreation programs that may be affected by heat, visit Portland Parks & Recreation weather updates.

Find a place to swim

Portland Parks & Recreation owns and operates four indoor pools and seven outdoor pools. Outdoor pools open June 20.

Swimming in the Willamette and Columbia rivers can be fun and refreshing. Be careful! Common causes of drowning are very cold water, high river levels, water moving fast, and debris from storms and runoff.

Find parks with water access and get important safety information at Swimming in Portland’s Rivers.

Planning to get wet in the Willamette River? Check the Rec! We test the water quality at several locations on the Willamette and post the results weekly. Learn more at Check the Rec.

Keep your home cool

The Cooling Portland program provides efficient portable heating/cooling units to vulnerable low-income Portlanders. You may qualify for a cooling unit, depending on your situation. There is a waitlist to receive a unit. Learn more about Cooling Portland and apply for a cooling unit.

You may also qualify for an air conditioner if you’re on the Oregon Health Plan. Learn more about the Oregon Health Plan’s Climate Supports program.

Check out these tips from the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board on cooling without air conditioning.

Remember, portable air conditioners should only be plugged directly into wall outlets. Using an extension cord or surge protector may cause a fire because they are not rated high enough to safely power a portable unit. Even a new cord in good condition can overheat and catch fire. Also, do not run the cord from the unit under a rug or through a wall. This can also lead to overheating and put the electrical cord in contact with flammable materials. Read more tips for preventing fires.

Check on family, friends and neighbors

Some people are more at risk for any heat, including people with health conditions, the very young and very old.

In recent years, people who lived alone and did not have air conditioning experienced the highest rates of illness and death. Check in with neighbors, family and friends who live alone.

Unsheltered neighbors are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Check in on them, too. Call 911 to request a welfare check by Portland Street Response or other emergency responders.

Access support services and tips to stay safe and healthy at the PublicAlerts Extreme Heat page.

Don't burn stuff

Don’t set off fireworks. Fireworks are banned in the City of Portland. Year-round.

During a heat wave, the Fire Marshal may issue a burn ban. Burn bans typically prohibit:

Recreational campfires
Fire pits
Burning yard debris
Agricultural burning
Open burning

Find out more about burn bans in Portland.

Find out about outdoor burning, wood stoves and fireplaces in Multnomah County.

Stay hydrated

Benson Bubbler drinking fountain with four streams of water.

Portland’s tap water is some of the best water in the world. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Save money and reduce your use of plastics by filling reusable water bottles with tap water before heading outdoors or taking car rides. Fill your pets’ water bowls regularly. Our historic Benson Bubblers and other drinking water fountains are on and providing safe, cool drinking water around-the-clock.

Stay cool in the heat – videos in multiple languages

Check out these great how-to videos on staying cool in the heat. Shared by Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Management.

Things to remember in heat waves

Worker safety. In Oregon, employees must have access to water, rest and shade on hot days. Learn more about heat safety in the workplace and find information about heat illness prevention and planning tools.
Heat stress. This Heat Stress Card helps you identify symptoms of heat illness and get help immediately.
Help paying your water bill. If you’re struggling to pay your sewer, stormwater, and water bill, we can help. Learn how to apply for a discount on your bill and lower your water use.
Garbage service. Waste collection drivers may start earlier than normal during extreme heat. To avoid a missed pickup, set out garbage, recycling, and compost bins the night before.
Air quality and smoke. Check the Air Quality Index to see how clean the air is and learn potential health risks. Don’t burn yard debris.
Building inspections. Building inspections may be delayed due to extreme heat. For updates, visit Portland Permitting & Development.
Climate emergency. Portland has an important role to play in addressing climate change, the underlying driver of extreme weather. Find out more about the City’s progress on our shared climate emergency.