Cooling Centers Open Ahead of Blistering Heat Wave

With temperatures expected to hit triple digits this weekend, it’s important to take whatever steps you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe — and guard against the very real danger of wildfires.

Cooling shelters are opening in Canby and throughout Clackamas County. Denny’s at 1369 SE 1st Avenue will be open 24/7 for those needing to cool off. No obligation to buy.

Zoar Lutheran Church, 190 SW 3rd Avenue, will also be open Monday through Friday, noon to whenever temperatures drop below 85 degrees. Water and snacks will be available.

Find more cooling shelter information on the county’s website here.

The county has also put together a list of tips to help you take care of yourself, your loved ones and pets during the sweltering heat wave.

When it’s hot, you should:

Drink water and bring extra bottles for yourself and others.

Take care of yourself.

Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you are thirsty. Talk to your doctor first if you are on water pills.

Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.

Take a cool shower or bath.

Use air conditioning or a fan.

use a fan to blow extremely hot air on yourself, use it to create cross-ventilation.

Wear lightweight and loose clothing.

Avoid using your stove or oven.

Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day (3-7 p.m.)

Take care of those around you

Check in on elders and vulnerable neighbors during warm weather — twice a day is best.

Never leave a person, child or a pet in a hot car.

Check regularly on how babies and toddlers, seniors, people taking mental health medications and people with heart disease or high blood pressure are doing.

Share a fan.

Invite a friend to a splash pad, movie, a mall or museum.

If you must be out in the heat

Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

Rest often in shady areas.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels) and reapply as directed.

Consider packing a couple extra bottles of water, these could be used for you and your family or anyone you see that looks like they could use a cool drink of water.

Know that the heat index (what the temperature feels like when humidity is involved) plays a role. When sweat isn’t able to evaporate from the body due to high humidity, the body has difficulty regulating its temperature and cooling itself off. The result? Heat stroke, cramps and exhaustion are all likely to happen.

If you have a pet

Provide plenty of shade and water.

Never leave them in a car.

Staying safe while near water is critical

Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.

Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing.

Learn swimming and water survival skills.

Children, inexperienced swimmers and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

Always swim in a lifeguarded area.

Always swim with a buddy.

Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription medications) before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.

High fire danger burn ban in effect through July 1

Clackamas Fire has enacted a high fire danger burn ban for all backyard, open burning and agricultural burning effective from June 23 to July 1.

Recreational fires, such as cooking, warming, fire pits, and campfires are allowed, but Clackamas Fire officials are strongly discouraging against them. Conditions will be re-evaluated on July 1.

Preparing your home to avoid wildfires

Local fire officials are strongly discouraging using or lighting fireworks during a heatwave or burn ban.

Remove dead or overhanging branches. During the windy conditions that exist during a wildland fire, flames, sparks and firebrands could travel from the tree to the roof of this structure.

Remove leaf accumulation from your yard. Leaf accumulation provides fuel for a wildland fire.

Remove leaf clutter from your roof and gutters. During a wildland fire, leaves on the roof and/or in the gutters could be ignited by flying embers.

Remove tall, dry grasses. Tall, dry grasses provide a path for fire that can lead directly to a house.

Remove “ladder fuels.” Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6′ – 10′ from the ground. Fire burning through tall, dry grass could ignite these limbs and climb to the top of the tree with relative ease.

Check your generator and/or hose to be sure it is in good repair. Refuel garden equipment carefully. Yard equipment needs annual maintenance and proper fueling.

Hoses develop leaks and deteriorate with age and exposure. During wildland fire season, fuel your lawn mower properly — away from dry, flammable grasses.

Prune bushes and shrubs regularly. Remove excess growth as well as dead leaves and branches to decrease their flammability, and the threat they could pose during a wildland fire.

Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.