Cooling centers to open throughout Columbia County during high heat warning

With an excessive heat warning set to envelop Northwest Oregon starting at noon on Independence Day, libraries are preparing to open their doors (during normal business hours and outside the July 4 holiday) for folks to cool off.

The National Weather Service is urging people throughout northwest and west Central Oregon and and Southwest Washington to take precautions. And if you are unable to duck out of the 100+ degree weather, the chief of the Columbia River Fire & Rescue District has some advice on how to avoid heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

St. Helens

The city of St. Helens is activating the St. Helens Public Library (Columbia Center), the St. Helens Senior Center and Oregon Trail Lanes as places to cool off during the first major heat wave of the summer.

Dates and times for the library (at 375 S. 18th St. Suite A) are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 5; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 6; and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 7.

The city says food and drinks are allowed in the Columbia Center lobby, with limited bottled water available. Those cooling off will have access to restrooms and a drinking fountain.

Service animals are allowed, but other pets will be permitted either on a leash or in a carrier on the covered porch, as long as they are attended by a person (no livestock). For more information, call the library at 503-397-4544.

The St. Helens Senior Center (375 S. 15th St.) will be open to all ages 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 5. Pets on a leash or in a carrier are allowed inside, but no livestock. Food and drinks are allowed at the senior center, and water and restrooms will be available. The senior center phone number is 503-397-3377.

Oregon Trail Lanes (735 S. Columbia River Highway) will be open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 5; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 6; and 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 7. Water and restrooms are available, but pets are not allowed inside. They are allowed outside under a covered breezeway. The phone number is 503-397-1011.

Updated information will be available at www.sthelensoregon.gov .

Scappoose

The Scappoose Public Library (52469 S.E. Second St.) will be open for regular hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Only registered service animals are allowed. The library is closed Thursday, July 4, and Sunday, July 7. You can call Scappoose Public Library at 503-543-7123.

Vernonia

The Vernonia Public Library (701 Weed Ave.) will be open for its regular hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday during its regular hours. The library is closed Thursday and Sunday. Contact the library at 503-429-1818.

The Vernonia Senior Center (547 Weed Ave.) will be open during its regular hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. The facility is closed Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The senior center can be reached at 503-429-3327.

Handling the heat

For those who may be exposed to the brutally hot weather, Columbia River Fire & Rescue chief Eric Smythe has some advice, including the need to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

“Avoid caffeinated drinks, like energy drinks or sodas, anything sugary because when you’re hot, that sits in your stomach and makes you nauseated, makes you feel under the weather,” Smythe said.

Also, Smythe suggests limiting your outdoor activities, such as lawnmowing and yardwork, to early in the morning or later in the evening, after the sun goes down.

Smythe encourages people who are outside to take plenty of breaks and find shady areas.

“Watch yourself,” he said. “If you start feeling bad, its time to stop, take a break and get out of the heat.”

Heat exhaustion is more common during bouts of high temperatures, accompanied by nausea or light headedness.

Heat stroke is the more serious condition and can require emergency treatment. Symptoms including a high body temperature, altered mental state or behavior, nausea and vomiting, rapid, shallow breathing and a racing heart rate. Untreated heat stroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.

Smythe instructs residents to avoid leaving children and animals in a hot car. In a car during a heatwave, temperatures can reach over 160 degrees.

And you must partake in adult beverages during the holiday weekend, authorities encourage you alternate your alcoholic drink with a bottle of water, because alcohol can cause dehydration.