People gather at Sandy River Delta in Ore. to cool down during what is expected to be a record-breaking heat wave that will hit on June 25, 2021. Friday's heat wave in Washington and Oregon caused the Pacific Northwest to heat up. Temperatures in many parts of the region will rise 25-30 degrees above normal over the next few days. Credit: Dave Killen/The Oregonian via APAs a historic heatwave ravaged the Pacific Northwest, utility workers and wildlife managers tried to protect people and animals Saturday.Portable air conditioners and fans were sold out in stores, hospitals cancelled outdoor vaccination clinics, cooling centers were opened by cities, baseball teams cancelled or moved up weekend games, utilities prepared for power outages.According to the National Weather Service, Saturday afternoon was Portland's hottest ever recorded day. It reached 108 F (42.2 Celsius). The previous record for Oregon’s largest city was at 107 F (41.7 C) in 1965 and 1981.Seattle reached 101 F (38.3) on June 1, making it the hottest day ever recorded. This was only the fourth time that the normally temperate city has topped 100 degrees.Other towns and cities from east Washington to Oregon are also expected to set records. Temperatures in many places will rise up to 30 degrees above the normal.This is a very dangerous forecast in a region that is used to mild weather and doesn't have air conditioner.James Bryant, a Seattle resident bought an air conditioner to combat the heat.On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, heat waves distorted a street scene in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood. It has been a hot and humid June in Seattle. Warmer temperatures are expected to continue into next week. Credit: Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times via AP"My house is already very hot so I have to add heat for the next few days. Bryant stated that Bryant had to ensure their safety. It seems to be a trend... It seems to be a trend.Berry farmers had to rush to get their crops picked before they went to rot. Fisheries managers also had to work hard to protect endangered sockeye salmon from the heat of the river.Multnomah County officials in Oregon needed volunteers to staff cooling centers for older residents, homeless people and other individuals who were suffering from the heat. Cascades Street Outreach is an advocacy group for those experiencing homelessness. They were going to the homeless camps to encourage them to use the cooling centres.Peter Tiso works for Multnomah County’s Joint office of Homeless Services. He told Oregonian/OregonLive.com the Oregon Convention Center can accommodate about 300 people but that no one will be turned down from the cooling shelter. He said that the shelter allows pets.Sarah O'Sell brings her air conditioner unit to her apartment by using a dolly in Seattle, Friday, June 25, 2021. O'Sell snatched one of the few AC units at the Junction True Value Hardware, as Pacific Northwest residents prepare for a heat wave with temperatures in the triple-digits. Credit: AP Photo/Manuel ValdesHe stated, "We don’t want anyone making the dangerous decision of whether to leave their pet behind or not."For large parts of the region, uncharacteristically hot weather was forecast to continue into next week.Columbia Basin fisheries managers worry about how the heat wave could affect endangered Snake River Sockeye and other protected salmon species.The Lewiston Tribune reported that federal, state, and tribal officials are working together to reduce rising water temperatures in lower Snake River. They have released 42 F (5.56 C), water from Idaho's Dworshak Reservoir. The water was released earlier in the week by officials hoping to maintain the river's water temperature below 68 F (20 C) Officials are worried about a repeat 2015, when the water temperatures in Columbia river reservoirs were so high that it was deadly for sockeye salmon.Grant Holloway wins his first heat in the 400-meter hurdles for men at the U.S Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. Credit to AP Photo/Ashley LandisJason Morrell, a berry farmer in eastern Washington, said that the sun was drying his strawberries quickly, making them susceptible to rotting if not picked up soon. Morrell, who owns Walters' Fruit Ranch in Spokane, said that farmers normally have three weeks to pick their strawberry crop. He expects that the task will be completed in a matter of days, with Spokane reaching 109 F (42.78 C), on Monday.Washington Governor Jay Inslee lifted COVID-19 restrictions on publicly-owned or operated cooling centers. The state's current capacity is limited to 50%, until Wednesday when it reopens fully. Governor. Kate Brown, the Governor of Oregon, suspended limits on movie theaters and shopping centers that have air-conditioning. This was in preparation for Wednesday's statewide reopening.A few lifeguards from Seattle were trained at the last minute on a lake Washington beach. Case Berrysmith has served as a lifeguard leader for fifteen years. This is his most intense stretch.Thea DeBroux, Matthew Ryan, Anna Matsumoto, and Maia Buswell, enjoy the water at Lake Union Park on Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Seattle. Friday was a scorching day in the Pacific Northwest. The heat wave that hit Washington and Oregon last week caused temperatures to soar. Credit: Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times via APA family orders icecream at a food truck in the Sellwood area of Portland, Ore. Friday's heat wave in Washington and Oregon caused the Pacific Northwest to be sweltering. Temperatures in many parts of the country were expected to rise 25-30 degrees above normal over the next few days. Credit: AP Photo/Sara ClineThe chalk sketch on the sidewalk of a neighborhood in Southeast Portland, Ore. on Friday, June 25, 2021 is a humorous take on how hot it should be on weekends. Friday was a scorcher in the Pacific Northwest as a historic heatwave hit Washington and Oregon. Temperatures in many areas are expected to rise 25-30 degrees above normal over the next few days. Credit: AP Photo/Sara ClineSeattle Sausage manager Carl Goodwin takes a break to sell water bottles to fans who left the Mariners game on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in the SoDo neighborhood. According to forecasts, extreme heat will scorch the Puget Sound region between Saturday and Monday. Credit: Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times via APBerrysmith stated that most rescues will be underestimated. Stay safe. Keep hydrated.USA Track and Field had to reschedule some weekend events due to the heat in Eugene, Oregon.On Sunday, around 3,000 people signed up for the Ironman race at Coeur d'Alene in Idaho. It was held when temperatures reached a record 101 F (38 C). The triathlon includes a swim of 2.4 miles (3.9 km), a bike ride of 112 miles (180-km) and a marathon.Kristie Ebi, an associate professor at the University of Washington, spoke of the possibility of a warmer future. She studies the effects of climate change on weather patterns around the world and the global warming that has impacted public health.We know from evidence all over the globe that climate change is increasing heat waves' intensity, duration and frequency. She said that we will have to accept this change going forward.Continue reading Historic heat wave blasts Northwest, wildfire risk soars2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Without permission, this material may not be broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
