Multnomah County Opens Three More Cooling Centers as Wildfire Smoke and Scorching Temperatures Descend on Portland

Haze from wildfires in British Columbia has kept the temperature down a degree or two.

Keller Fountain (Carleigh Oeth)
By Jessica Pollard

Multnomah County has opened another three cooling shelters across the region, bringing the total of relief stations to six as triple-digit temperatures descend on Portland.

The record heat forecast for this week so far hasn't occurred, in part because haze from wildfires in British Columbia has kept the temperature down a degree or two. The National Weather Service says the haze is unlikely to have much effect on the highs, but could keep Portland from setting records.

The new cooling-shelter locations include the downtown Portland Building next to City Hall—which was also used as a warming shelter during Portland's January freeze.

Related: As record heat wave bears down, 271,300 Portland homes don't have air conditioning.

The county is also offering free transportation to its cooling centers. A ride is available by calling 503-226-0700.

Here are the locations open today.

  • Multnomah County Walnut Park Building, 5325 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland (Hours: Weekdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Weekends, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • Multnomah County East Building, 600 N.E. 8th St., Gresham (Hours: Weekdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Weekends, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • Hollywood Senior Center, 1820 N.E. 40th Ave., Portland (Hours: Weekdays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Weekends, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; *CLOSED Saturday)
  • Multnomah County Mead Building, 421 SW 5th Ave., Portland (Hours: Weekdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Weekends 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • Elm Court Center, 1032 SW Main St., Portland (Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  • Portland Building (in partnership with the City of Portland), 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland (Hours: Thursday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Portland Parks & Recreation is also offering relief. This morning, the parks bureau announced it's increasing its offerings of air-conditioned community centers and pools over the next few days, in an effort to give people places to go during the hottest afternoon hours.

Here is some of what the parks bureau suggests.

NORTHWEST/SOUTHWEST PORTLAND

Multnomah Arts Center (7688 SW Capitol Hwy, 503-823-2787). The MAC will be offering up its cooled down hallways from today till Friday from 9 am to 9:30 pm.

Southwest Community Center (6820 SW 45th Ave, 503-823-2840). Today till Friday, the community center will be showing movies between 6:30 and 8:30 pm.

Poet's Beach (South Waterfront Park). Open till September, Mayor Ted Wheeler recently put  lifeguards on this strip of riverside and now it's a beach!

Hillside Community Center (653 Northwest Culpepper Terrace, 503-823-3181).  The Hillside community center is offering games and movies to Portlanders until Friday evening.

SOUTHEAST PORTLAND

East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th Ave, 503-823-3450). Party away the hottest part of the summer so far with free ping-pong, foosball, movies and board games today till Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.
Mt. Scott Community Center (5530 SE 72nd Ave, 503-823-3183). You could spend nearly the whole day at Mt.Scott, open from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm till Friday. Small activities, like board games, will be provided.
Sellwood Pool (7951 SE 7th Avenue, 503-823-3679). It’s historic, it just got a new bathhouse roof, and it’s got lots of space for splashing.
Mt. Scott Pool (5530 SE 72nd Avenue, 503 823-3183). Ride the crazy yellow slide at Mt. Scott indoor pool. It’s climate controlled and it’s water.
Community Music Center (3350 SE Francis St, 503-823-3177). The Community Music Center is opening its auditorium as a cool place to sit down between 9:30 am and 8:30 pm till Friday, as long as you don’t mind listening in on music classes.

NORTH AND NORTHEAST PORTLAND

Charles Jordan Community Center (9009 N. Foss Ave, 503-823-3631).  From 9 am to 9 pm today through Friday, expect a plethora of cards, board games and maybe some movies.
Matt Dishman Community Center (77 NE Knott St, 503-823-3673). It will be playing free movies every night from today till Friday.
St. Johns Community Center (8247 N. Central St, 503-823-3192). Although there aren’t any activities planned for those who stop by between 6 and 10 pm, there will be air conditioning.
Montavilla Pool (8219 NE Glisan Street, 503 823-3675). A big outdoor pool in a recreation center that also has basketball courts and activities for kids.

Portland Parks and Recreation warns that due to the heat, there may be wait times at the pools. You can find more free outdoor places to cool off here.

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