Eugene, OR: The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning this weekend for parts of the Willamette Valley, including Eugene.
Community members are encouraged to stay hydrated with water when the temperature is so high.
- All water fountains and splash pads in Eugene are turned on for summer. Splash pads are available at:
- Fairmount Park (E. 15th Ave. and Fairmount Blvd. )
- Oakmont Park (2295 Oakmont Way )
- Skinner Butte Park (248 Cheshire Ave. )
- Washington Park (2025 Washington St. )
- The Downtown Library is open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, closed on Sunday. Regular services are available. People can cool off while browsing, and 1-hour time slots are available for people to use a computer or access wi-fi. The second floor of the Library will have 14 spaces marked out that are 6x6 feet and can accommodate four people per group (max of 56 people at a time).
Lane County is activating a cooling and heat respite center at the Lane Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave, located in Expo Hall 2 and Convention Center rooms 3 and 4. This facility is open to anyone who needs to cool down and will open from 9 am to 10 pm Saturday and Sunday, June 26th and 27th.
A list of additional resources by municipality is on the Lane County website.
Human heatstroke symptoms can include: high body temperature, a fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness. If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, call 911 right away – heatstroke is a medical emergency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer tips for preventing heat stroke-related illness.
Pet Safety
It is extremely important to remember these safety tips to keep your furry family members safe:
- Leave pets at home when running errands. Leaving your animal in a parked car, even for just a few minutes, can easily cause heat stroke or brain damage. On an 85-degree day, a car's interior temperature can climb to 104 degrees in 10 minutes, even with the windows slightly open. Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat stress because they do not sweat in the way that humans do; they release body heat by panting.
- Dogs should not ride in uncovered pickup truck beds. The hot metal truck bed can burn your pet’s paw pads.
- Keep pets inside during the heat of the day; do not leave them outside unattended.
- Make sure pets have access to water bowls full of cool, fresh water.
- When pets are outside, be sure to provide shaded areas for them to rest in and invest in a misting hose or kiddie pool for a cool place for your pets to play.
- Limit or skip on exercise and time at the dog park during the heat of the day.
- Always test the pavement or sand with your hand before setting out (too hot to touch is too hot for your pet), walk early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler, carry water and take frequent breaks in shady spots. If you suspect your pet’s paws have been burned, contact your vet immediately.
Animal heatstroke symptoms can include: restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, vomiting, and lack of coordination. If your animal is overcome by heat exhaustion, consult your veterinarian right away. If you notice an animal in distress or unresponsive in a parked car, first try and locate the pet’s owner and alert him or her to the animal’s condition. If you cannot find the animal’s owner, call 911.
If you notice an animal in distress or unresponsive in a parked car, call 911. If an animal is not in distress and it is quicker to locate the owner you may consider that in addition to calling for help.