Historic heat wave caused fewer problems in Grand Ronde than elsewhere

By Nicole Montesano

Smoke Signals staff writer

A historic heat wave with “dangerous and oppressive heat” that repeatedly set records throughout the Willamette Valley finally began cooling down Tuesday night, July 9.

However, the National Weather Service warned on its website that, “we are still expecting it to be warmer than normal for the next seven to 10 days.”

Temperatures inland hit 100 to 105 degrees on July 8 and were expected to be similar on July 9, although the high for Grand Ronde was expected to be 98, with onshore wind flow keeping things a bit cooler closer to the coast. Beginning on Wednesday, July 10, temperatures in Grand Ronde dropped into the low 80s, followed by the high 70s later in the week.

The Oregonian reported on July 8 that the heat was believed to have caused four deaths in the Portland metro area. It was exacerbated by high night-time temperatures.

In Grand Ronde however, Tribal Emergency Services Department Public Information Officer Mariah Walters told Smoke Signals that “We have not seen any heat-related issues as far as increased call volume or medical needs.”­

The threshold for opening cooling centers for the Tribe is 95 degrees, but centers are opened only when a need is reported to the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Brandy Bishop at 503-879-1837.

Opening a cooling center only by request “saves our supplies and staff time for times when there is a need, instead of setting it up and having no one come in,” Walters said.  

Even with temperatures dropping, people should remember never to leave children or pets in vehicles, including the back of pickup trucks, where hot metal can burn paws, and to avoid walking dogs during the afternoon or early evening, when streets and sidewalks are hot enough to burn paws. Make sure any outside animals have access to deep shade and plenty of cool water.

It is also important to stay well hydrated, limit outdoor activities, check on neighbors and older adults and know the warning signs of heat-related illness.

Factors such as high humidity, dehydration, prescription drug use, heart disease, sunburn and alcohol use can increase the risk of developing a heat-related illness. Warning signs include high body temperature, hot, red, dry or damp skin, fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness.

Walters said that, fortunately, “our fire call volume has not increased much over the normal annual burn complaints for people burning into the burn ban that started on July 1.”

She noted that vehicle crash call volumes have increased, which is common during the summer season with increased traffic to and from the coast.