Gov. Brown declares state of emergency in Oregon ahead of ‘extreme heat wave’

Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Tuesday in Oregon in anticipation of what she called an “extreme heat wave.”

The National Weather Service upgraded its heat watch to a warning late Monday. The warning of dangerously hot conditions with temperatures as high as 105 degrees is in effect from noon Wednesday through 10 p.m. Saturday.

“Oregon is facing yet another extreme heat wave, and it is critical that every level of government has the resources they need to help keep Oregonians safe and healthy,” Brown said in a statement. “I encourage Oregonians to take proactive steps to keep themselves and their families safe, including drinking plenty of fluids, taking advantage of cooling centers, and checking in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.”

The governor’s declaration will activate the Emergency Coordination Center to oversee the state’s response to the coming heat. Brown also directed all state agencies to provide whatever assistance is requested by the Office of Emergency Management.

Separately, the city of Portland and Multnomah County also declared heat-related emergencies for roughly the same time period. Like the statewide declaration, the move will put the city and county’s response under the command of the Director of the Bureau of Emergency Management and allows for the suspension of certain rules to facilitate the response.

“This tool gives us the flexibility to respond to the heat wave and to alert everyone that heat is dangerous especially for isolated older adults, people who work outdoors, children and pets,’’ Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury said in a statement. “There can be no doubt after June that extreme heat can kill and we are treating these events like the health hazard they are.’’

In late June, multiple days of triple-digit temperatures, many of which broke all-time records, led to nearly 100 heat-related deaths across the state. Most of the deaths were concentrated in Multnomah County, with one in five among people who lived in mobile home parks.

Dangerous heat waves, drought and wildfire, all of which have taken a toll on Oregon this summer, have been made more likely by human-caused climate change, experts have long said.

“This emergency declaration highlights the reality that climate change is hitting closer to home and causing significant harm to Portlanders,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a statement. “The time to take the climate crisis seriously was years ago. These extreme heat events demand everyone’s attention – and action immediately.”

Officials encouraged Oregonians to learn the symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Those who do not have air conditioning are “strongly encouraged” to make a plan to find someplace cool to spend the days in the latter part of the week. Residents with air conditioning were asked to check on their friends, family and neighbors who may be particularly vulnerable to the heat.