City of Ashland opens cooling shelter Sunday
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
People in Southern Oregon and Northern California are advised to take precautions during high temperatures over the next couple of days, according to a heat advisory issued Saturday afternoon by the National Weather Service (NWS), to minimize the risk of heat illnesses.
With highs of 95 to 105 in the valleys during the afternoons and 85 to 95 at usually cooler, hilly locations, people should take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside, the advisory says, and reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. The advisory remains in effect through 11 p.m. Monday.
People should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors, NWS advises. Young children and pets should not be left unattended in vehicles.
Highs are forecast to be 100 in Ashland on Sunday, 95 on Monday and 83 on Tuesday, according to the NWS forecast as of Saturday afternoon, with lows of 66 Saturday night, 61 Sunday night and 56 Monday night. The temperature in Ashland hit 100 at about 4 p.m. Saturday and stayed there at least through 5:30 p.m., according to a Weather Underground station off Ashland Street west of Morton Street.
The city of Ashland will open a cooling center from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday at Pioneer Hall at 73 Winburn Way. Animals will be allowed but must be kept on leashes. The shelter will be staffed by community volunteers who have requested that guests be mindful of other’s health needs. Masks will be provided on site. Donations of water and cold foods are welcome and will be accepted at the shelter during hours of operation.
The Ashland Police Department will have water bottles available to those in need. Officers will carry additional water bottles with them and will be looking for opportunities to assist those that might be vulnerable to heat exhaustion.
Water bottles will also be available at Ashland Fire & Rescue Station No. 1 at 455 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland Parks & Recreation has a list of places to to find respite in the parks during extreme heat on its website. In Lithia Park, the Swim Reservoir and the creek wading area near the children’s playground are both open. The splash pad at Garfield Park is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
