Multnomah County Opens Cooling Center As Portland Temperatures Near 100 Degrees
PORTLAND, Ore. — Multnomah County is opening a daytime cooling center Tuesday as temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s and could reach 100 degrees.
The cooling center at Bud Clark Commons, 650 N.W. Irving St., will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The site, operated by Transition Projects, will provide water, snacks and allow pets.
The county said the center supplements dozens of existing places where residents can escape the heat, including libraries, community centers, misting stations and water features throughout Multnomah County.
All open county libraries will operate on their regular schedules Tuesday, with most remaining open until 8 p.m. Officials said bottled water will be available, although some library locations remain closed for construction.
To help people reach cooling locations, TriMet will not require fares from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday for riders traveling to or from a cooling center. Riders should tell their bus operator they are heading to a cooling site. Residents seeking transportation assistance or help locating a cooling space can call 211 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The county also expanded outreach efforts for people experiencing homelessness, distributing thousands of bottles of water, cooling towels, electrolyte packets and sunscreen to outreach teams, volunteers and mutual aid organizations on Monday.
Wood-burning restriction takes effect
The Multnomah County Health Department also issued a mandatory wood-burning restriction beginning at noon Tuesday, citing deteriorating air quality caused by extreme heat and the buildup of ground-level ozone.
The restriction remains in effect until conditions improve and comes in addition to fire-related burn bans already in place across the county. Recreational fires, agricultural burning and backyard burning are prohibited, although cooking is still allowed.
Health officials said residents should monitor air quality, limit outdoor activity when conditions worsen and seek cool, clean indoor air whenever possible. They emphasized that preventing heat illness remains the highest priority, noting that extreme heat generally poses a greater immediate health risk than smoke exposure for vulnerable people.
State of emergency remains in effect
County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has declared a state of emergency because of the prolonged heat event. The declaration remains in effect through at least 10 p.m. Tuesday.
County agencies continue to operate an enhanced heat response that includes cooling centers, public outreach, safety messaging and assistance for vulnerable residents. Community organizations, apartment managers and landlords have also been notified about available cooling resources and heat safety information.
Officials said people most at risk include older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, individuals with chronic medical conditions and residents without access to air conditioning.
According to the county, 17 confirmed heat-related deaths were recorded in Multnomah County between 2022 and 2025. Nearly 90% of those who died were housed, underscoring the dangers of prolonged indoor heat for people without adequate cooling.
Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities. Anyone experiencing symptoms of heat stroke should call 911 immediately.
The latest information on cooling centers, heat safety and available resources is available through Multnomah County’s heat response webpage.