You can help
As temperatures rise, we all can help our neighbors in need! Want to help? The Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) welcomes Portlanders to volunteer at indoor cooling centers and outdoor misting stations. More information will be available in the event of another extreme heat event.
Check on family, friends and neighbors
Access support services and tips to stay safe and healthy. Visit the PublicAlerts Extreme Heat page.
Cool down at these locations
Transportation
For help finding transportation to cooling centers, call 2-1-1
TriMet encourages anyone needing relief from the excessive heat to ride TriMet to and from a cooling site, even if they can't pay fare. You won't be denied a ride. Plan extra time and check trimet.org/alerts before traveling. There may be delays to TriMet service due to the excessive heat. Information about TriMet operations during hot weather, including adjustments to the MAX and WES systems, is at trimet.org/heat.
Indoor cooling spaces
During heat advisories and extreme heat events, Multnomah County and the City of Portland will provide cooling centers, such as libraries and community centers. Check locations and status on Multnomah County's "Help for when it's hot" webpage.
For a map of cool spaces, view this interactive map.
Outdoor water features
- Splash pads and interactive fountains can be found at city parks. Here is a complete list of locations and hours.
For details on other Portland Parks & Recreation programs that may be affected by heat, visit Portland Parks & Recreation weather updates.
Willamette River – be aware of algae blooms for your and your dog’s safety
Do you want to cool down in the Willamette River? Usually that would be okay but with the extended heat, algae blooms have started to form. That’s bad news for people and pets, especially dogs. Look out for bright green spots or clumps and stay away. Multnomah County has issued an advisory urging people to keep dogs out of the water to protect them from illness or death. The state says toxin levels are not high enough to affect people but levels could change. When in doubt, stay out.
Visit Washington County's map of cooling centers and splash pads.
Visit Clackamas County's website for cooling centers. Transportation to Cooling Centers
Worker safety
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA) has adopted new temporary rules regarding shade, cool water, and breaks to protect workers during high heat. Measures are triggered when the heat index reaches 80° and 90°. The rules are in effect for 180 days while permanent rules are considered.
On August 2, 2021, OHSA released an amendment to address high ambient temperatures in labor housing. On August 3, 2021, OSHA enacted temporary wildfire smoke rules that will require employers to provide N95 masks to employees when the Air Quality Index reaches more than 101. Both new rules take effect August 9, 2021, and remain in effect for 180 days. You can read all three rules here.
How we're helping people experiencing unsheltered homelessness
The Joint Office of Homeless Services, a collaboration between the City of Portland and Multnomah County, is providing outreach and water to help people stay cool and hydrated during the heatwave. Read about the efforts here.
Garbage service
Residential customers: Please set out garbage, recycling, and compost bins the night before your pickup day. Crews will start work earlier than normal during the heatwave. Learn more.
Building inspections
Due to extreme heat, scheduled building inspections may be delayed. For updates, visit the Bureau of Development Services.
Wildland Fire
Portland City Council unanimously approved new protocols for removing campers from wildfire hazard zones. Information regarding the city’s campsite removal policy in wildfire risks can be found here.
Multnomah County issued an outdoor burn ban on June 23, 2021, which remains in effect until further notice. More information can be found on Multnomah County's website.
The June 30, 2021, ban on all fireworks, legal and illegal, has been extended to October 15, 2021. The public is instructed to not report fireworks use to 911. More information about the ban in the City of Portland can be found here, as well as information about unincorporated Multnomah County.
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.