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Most City offices will be closed Thursday, June 19, to observe Juneteenth

The City of Portland recognizes Juneteenth as a formal day of remembrance to honor Black American history and the end of slavery in the United States. Learn about Juneteenth.

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Portland is a Sanctuary City

Stay cool and safe in Portland heat waves

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A family enjoys the cool mist and spray at Dawson Park fountain.
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.
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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:

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

Contact

PDX 311 Customer Service Program

phone number311Information and Customer Service
phone number503-823-4000Every day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding federal holidays) Interpretation available | Interpretación disponible | Phiên dịch có sẵn | 提供口译服务 | Доступна интерпретация | Tafsiir la heli karo | Доступний переклад
Oregon Relay Service711Oregon Relay Service

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