A guide to preventing heat illness in Washington County
Published 4:30 am Thursday, August 6, 2026
Amid heat advisories, the county monitors heat risks and health impacts that inform public guidance.
(Staff file photo)
Washington County remains under a heat advisory after experiencing a few of the many 90-degree days that are expected this summer
Officials say the low rainfall, drought and severe wildfires seen in the region are local implications of record-breaking annual temperatures worldwide
As the county monitors heat risks and health impacts that inform public guidance, here is how residents of Washington County can beat the heat now and take long-term action to protect themselves
Why is heat a health concern?
Heat is the leading cause of weather fatalities in the nation over the past decade — averaging 279 deaths from extreme heat as of 2025 — according to the National Weather Service report
Locally, the Portland metro area experienced record-high temperatures and 72 heat-related fatalities during the June 2021 heat dome, according to a Multnomah County report
While this summer has so far been less hot than previous summers, more consecutive days over 90 degrees with little cooling relief at night are anticipated to pose health risks senior program coordinator for environmental health in Washington County
“Hurricanes and tornadoes get flashy news reports, but heat kills more people annually than any other natural hazard,” Johnson said. “We also get concerned around heat later in the summer, like this week, because it tends to overlap with wildfire smoke season.”
County officials say some people are more vulnerable to heat than others, which informs the services they prioritize
Older adults, younger children and those who live alone, work outdoors, have chronic medical conditions, lack access to air conditioning or live in densely populated, commercial areas are at-risk populations
What to do right now
Along with tips to drink plenty of water, wear loose, lightweight clothing, take cool showers and eat light meals, Washington County maintains an online map of cooling centers and other places where residents can escape high temperatures
Free TriMet rides to cooling centers or Ride to Care services may be available during emergency declarations or when the heat reaches 100 degrees or more. Most shelters are open during the day, and some stay open overnight
County officials also encourage employees to know what their employers are required to provide in hot weather conditions: access to water, rest and shade, training in heat-illness prevention, more frequent breaks for new workers, and individual and coworker monitoring
Residents in Washington County said the event most likely to affect their health was heat but cited relationships with neighbors and local gathering centers as strengths in their communities, according to a study by the Washington County Public Health Division
The county echoes the importance of checking in with friends, family and neighbors and staying informed
“If you know somebody in your neighborhood that lives alone, check in with them,” Johnson said. “We also recommend that folks sign up for public alerts, which is a notification system (to receive) a text or an email when we do have a hazardous heat event coming up.”
To sign up for Washington County public alerts, visit tinyurl.com/275smmsu
What to do moving forward
One in 10 occupied houses in Washington County do not have any form of air conditioning for heat relief, according to the U.S. Census Bureau as of 2023
John Wheeler, Washington County Emergency Management manager, says air conditioning is the best protection against the heat, yet over 22,500 homes in the county still lack heat relief
The June 2021 heat dome prompted a call for economic support for residents
Wheeler said that after the historic heat five summers ago, the state legislature passed a bill to expand residential air conditioning through a set of grants, rebates and other incentives and policies
Oregon Health Plan members may be able to receive an air conditioner through the Home Changes for Health Benefits Program. Energy Trust of Oregon offers reimbursement of cooling mini-splits for landlords managing multifamily housing
Renters and owners may also be eligible for rebates for installing heat pumps, health support services through Trillium’s Flexible Services Program and energy bill credits and benefits when they join the Oregon Community Solar Program
For those wanting their homes to withstand the cold and the heat, the Low Income Weatherization Program and Community Action nonprofit provide weatherization and energy conservation services to eligible households, including improvements to windows, doors and vents
A list of rergy bills and for community members to identify signs of heat illness and create a heat safety plan is also available on the county website
For more information and re
