News The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland upgraded the excessive heat watch to an excessive heat warning Friday afternoon.
The warning is in effect from noon Saturday to 9 p.m., Sunday. The high temperatures on both days are expected to be in the mid 90s to near 100 degrees, and the lows will be in the mid to upper 60s Saturday night.
The NWS said the elderly, youth and those without air conditioning will be vulnerable to the heat. People who work or exercise outdoors are also at an increased risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
The NWS advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to the morning hours. Know the signs and symptoms of
heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If someone is experiencing heat stroke, call 9 1 1.
The City of Washougal has established cooling stations in the municipal complex — City Hall, the library and community center — during regular days and hours of operation. Look for the cooling station sign to determine which location is open.
City Hall, 1701 “C” St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Washougal Community Library, 1661 “C” St., is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
Members of the Washougal Senior Association will host a cooling station Sunday, from 1 to 6 p.m., in the Washougal Community Center, 1681 “C” St.
The City of Camas has not planned any special cooling stations at this time, but the Camas Public Library has air conditioning. The library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.
Tips to keep pets safe in the heat
Pets can also be susceptible to the heat.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) advises several precautions to prevent pets from overheating.
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
Animals with flat faces, such as pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
Do not leave pets in cars
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. It can lead to a fatal heat stroke, and it is illegal in several states including Washington.
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) states that it is a Class 2 civil infraction to leave or confine any animal in an unattended motor vehicle or enclosed space if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation or lack of necessary water.
“To protect the health and safety of an animal, an animal control officer or law enforcement officer who reasonably believes that an animal is suffering or is likely to suffer harm from exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation or lack of necessary water is authorized to enter a vehicle or enclosed space to remove an animal by any means reasonable under the circumstances if no other person is present in the immediate area who has access to the vehicle or enclosed space and who will immediately remove the animal,” the RCW states.
An animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or the department or agency employing the officer is not liable for any damage to property resulting from actions taken under this section.
For more information, visit www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips.
Bobbi Foster contributed to this article.
