Dangerously hot conditions have triggered an Extreme Heat Warning across the Portland/Vancouver Metro, Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, and Cascade Foothills beginning today, Aug. 22. The National Weather Service expects highs between 96°F and 107°F through early next week, with little overnight relief
Forecasters expect afternoon highs between 96 and 107 degrees, with the hottest readings anticipated Friday and Saturday.
Expected overnight lows from 60 °F to 70 °F, with the Columbia River Gorge holding in the low- to mid-70s—offering little relief before the warning expires at 5 a.m. Tuesday.
The Oregon Health Authority cautions that such heat can trigger exhaustion or stroke in older adults, infants, outdoor workers and people with chronic conditions.
“Our experience with the 2021 heat dome taught us that extreme temperatures are a real danger in Oregon,” Gabriela Goldfarb, the agency’s environmental public health section manager, said in an Aug. 8 press release. “We can prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths by recognizing their symptoms, taking steps to stay safe, and caring for our vulnerable family members and friends,” OHA release.
Health officials urge residents to stay in air-conditioned spaces, limit sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, typically from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., drink plenty of water, use portable fans only when indoor temperatures are below 90 degrees, and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. While residents heed those steps, campground and RV-park operators must act quickly on their own properties.
Campground and RV-park operators can take several steps to keep guests and staff safe as temperatures climb.
Managers are encouraged to convert clubhouses or game rooms into 24-hour cooling lounges stocked with water and electrolyte packets.
Adding pop-up canopies or misting tents over playgrounds, dog runs, and dump stations can help reduce the felt temperature. Hydration stations, such as plumbed bottle fillers or five-gallon tanks, can be positioned every few hundred feet to encourage constant fluid intake.
Each shift should start with a 15-minute toolbox talk on spotting heat illness and the use of instant cold packs. Maintenance tasks like mowing, trash runs and septic pump-outs should be scheduled for dawn or after dusk, and crews working in full sun should be rotated every 20 minutes.
Guests should be reminded to stagger air-conditioner use and ensure shore-power cords are tight to help reduce breaker trips and brownouts.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management advises people to monitor NOAA Weather Radio, drink more water than usual, wear loose light-colored clothing, and avoid working outdoors; if it is unavoidable, frequent breaks and the buddy system are recommended. Pet and livestock safety is also emphasized, according to the emergency management agency.
Because many visitors may turn to lakes and rivers for relief, officials warn that currents may be stronger than they appear, and swimmers should use life jackets and avoid diving into unfamiliar water.
For those without reliable cooling, officials note that local resources are available to direct residents to nearby cooling centers, arrange transportation and provide assistance in multiple languages.
Extreme heat has created secondary hazards in the past. During the June 2021 event, rapid snowmelt led to flooding near some campgrounds and forced evacuations, serving as a reminder that high temperatures can quickly cascade into flooding and infrastructure problems.
Meanwhile, operators can protect both guests and revenue by retooling the visitor experience. Automated SMS or email heat alerts can be sent out to share hydration tips and cooling lounge hours. Pre-arrival communications can advise guests to pack extra water jugs, reflective windshield covers and pet booties.
Flexible date-change policies during the warning window can help reduce cancellations and chargebacks. Programming may shift to night-friendly activities, such as stargazing walks or late-night food-truck events, to provide value while minimizing heat exposure.
Operators can also offer portable evaporative coolers, shade sails and misting fans as optional rentals, and log any heat-related incidents in real time to guide staffing and support insurance claims.
The warning remains in effect until 5 a.m. Tuesday. Officials urge continuous monitoring of National Weather Service, OHA and OEM updates and encourage residents and operators alike to check frequently on vulnerable neighbors, guests and critical equipment throughout the heat wave.