Fire & Heat Safety

Although Milwaukie generally enjoys temperate summers, climate change has brought increasingly frequent periods of high temperatures in recent years. These temperatures can increase fire danger and the risk of heat-related illnesses during summer months. 

Heat Safety
Heat can pose a threat to human and animal health. Heat related illnesses, including heat stress and heat stroke can be quite serious, but are preventable with some simple precautions. These include drinking plenty of water, wearing loose clothing, and staying out of direct sunlight as much as possible. For more information about heat related illness, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html.

Cooling Centers
When the National Weather Service has forecast high or extreme heat risk, the city manager may activate the Ledding Library cooling center for extended hours. Check the City of Milwaukie homepage or Facebook, or call 503.786.7580 to check whether the cooling center is open. The cooling center will remain open until 10 p.m. on days when it is activated.

Clackamas and Multnomah counties are home to many cooling shelters besides the Ledding Library. To locate the nearest cooling center, visit the links below. 

Clackamas County Cooling Centers*: www.clackamas.us/relief 
Multnomah County Cooling Centers: www.multco.us/em/cooling-center-locations

*Clackamas County lists warming centers and cooling centers on the same page. Most of these centers serve both functions. Call 211 or visit 211.org if you are unsure of your closest warming/cooling center. 

Fire Safety
Clackamas Fire District #1  provides fire protection for Milwaukie and most surrounding communities. Because of its urban density, Milwaukie is at low risk for wildfires overall. Some natural areas, including Elk Rock Island and Three Creeks, are rated as posing a moderate wildfire risk. The larger fire threat in Milwaukie comes from residential and business fires. There are several things community members can do to help keep families safe from fires, including making sure smoke alarms are working, never leaving cooking food unattended, and ensuring blankets and other flammable objects are kept away from heat sources.

The Red Cross has put together a helpful guide to home fire safety at www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html