Officials are warning people to celebrate this Fourth of July holiday safely as an excessive heat warning that begins Thursday could bring record-breaking temperatures to the area.
In addition to the typical fireworks and water safety, officials also warn to remain vigilant about the heat. Temperatures are forecasted to reach 92 degrees Thursday and peak in the triple digits over the weekend. The heat warning isn’t scheduled to end until Sunday, said David Bishop, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland.
The record highs in Vancouver and Portland for July 4-6 are in the upper 90s, meaning temperatures forecasted to peak near 102 on Saturday could be a new all-time high.
Bishop noted it’s not unheard of to have triple-digit temperatures later in July. But with this heat wave coming so close to the summer solstice (the longest day of the year), the nights are short and won’t provide much relief from the heat.
HOW TO HELP
The Council for the Homeless needs water bottles, hats, sunscreen, small coolers and bandanas. Please deliver in person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or ship to the council’s Housing Solutions Center at 2306 N.E. Andresen Road, Suite A, Vancouver, WA 98661.
HOW TO GET HELP
People can call the housing hotline at 360-695-9677 or 311 to learn about cooling centers.
“The first thing we suggest people to do is stay hydrated, stay hydrated, stay hydrated — which means drink water,” Bishop said.
Clark County Public Health warns against drinking caffeine, alcohol or drinks with a lot of sugar while in the heat.
Bishop also encouraged people to check on their loved ones and neighbors, especially those who are more susceptible to heat illness, including young children and older adults. He noted the hottest times of the day are between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., so it’s especially important to stay cool then.
“If you don’t have air conditioning in your apartment or in your home, which I know is common up here in the Pacific Northwest, contemplate going to places that do have air conditioning, like local libraries or movie theaters,” Bishop said.
Stay alert to the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the weather service’s website warns. Those experiencing heat exhaustion will likely feel dizzy, thirsty, nauseous, weak and will sweat heavily. People with heat exhaustion should quickly move to a cooler area, loosen clothing, sip cool water and seek medical help if symptoms don’t improve.
Those suffering from heat stroke will also feel dizzy, but they may be confused and lose consciousness. The weather service says that is the time to call 911.
Public Health officials warn even young, healthy people can suffer from heat-related illnesses in prolonged, intense heat.
People should wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. They should also take a cool shower or bath, according to Public Health spokeswoman Marissa Armstrong.
To help stay cool at home, Armstrong recommends closing curtains and blinds on windows facing the morning or afternoon sun. People can then open windows during early morning and late evening hours when temperatures cool down.
People should also try to stay on the lowest floor of their home and limit use of ovens or stoves, Armstrong said.
Public Health also warns against food-borne illnesses as people prepare for barbecues and picnics for the holiday. The agency reminds that cold food should be kept at 40 degrees or colder. It also recommends keeping coolers closed and keeping drinks in separate coolers from perishable foods so people aren’t exposing food to warm air each time they go for a drink.
People should also avoid leaving young children or pets in parked vehicles. Even with windows rolled down, Armstrong noted temperatures rise quickly inside.
County officials on Tuesday implemented a warm-weather burn ban beginning Friday morning. The county’s annual burn ban was scheduled to begin July 15, but officials said the conditions warranted an earlier ban.
“Due to the excessive heat warning in place, the extended forecast for continued dry and hot conditions and out of an abundance of caution, open burning in Clark County will be closed until further notice,” Clark County Interim Fire Marshal Donna Goddard said in a news release.
Any recreational fires on private lands must be in a metal, stone or masonry-lined fire pit. They also must not exceed 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height. They must also be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material. Someone must attend fires at all times.
Completely extinguish all fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring it with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch, the county said.
For more information, people can visit the county’s website at clark.wa.gov/community-development/outdoor-burning.
