This period of hot weather which started Tuesday will make heat related illness possible–especially in those people for whom it is difficult to escape the heat. Hot temperatures are now forecast to continue through Saturday and with warmer than normal temperatures on Sunday.
On Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30 there will be eight Cooling Centers open to Kitsap residents across the county providing relief from the heat. These centers are provided by our community partners at Kitsap Regional Library, The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, and the Salvation Army in Bremerton. The locations are found in the map below.
Salvation Army
832 6th St, Bremerton
Open 2 PM to 5:30 PM (masks required)
KITSAP REGIONAL LIBRARY LOCATIONS
Bainbridge Island
1270 Madison Ave. N.
Fri & Sat 10 AM – 5 PM.Kingston
26159 Dulay Road NE.
Fri 10 AM – 5 PM, Sat 10 AM – 4 PM.Little Boston
31980 Little Boston Rd NE.
Fri 10 AM – 5 PM, Sat 10 AM – 1 PM.Manchester
8067 E Main St.
Fri 10 AM – 5 PM, Sat 10 AM – 1 PM.Port Orchard
87 Sidney Ave.
Fri & Sat 10 AM – 5 PM.Poulsbo
700 NE Lincoln Rd.
Fri & Sat 10 AM – 5 PM.Sylvan Way1301 Sylvan Way.
Fri & Sat 10 AM – 5 PM.YMCA LOCATIONSHaselwood Family YMCA
3909 NW Randall Way.
Fri 5 AM – 7 PM. Sat 7 AM – 5 PM.Bremerton Family YMCA
2261 Homer Jones Dr.
Fri 5 AM – 7 PM. Sat 7 AM – 5 PM.
The decision to activate Cooling Centers is typically made each day in based on the National Weather Service HeatRisk Index. The forecast anticipates temperatures to start cooling on Sunday with temperatures returning to normal on Monday.
Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management recognizes and values the contribution made by these community partners in providing this important service. Kitsap Transit will waive fares for passengers needing bus rides to cooling centers. If you need a ride to a cooling center, Kitsap Transit’s buses may be an option for you, depending on how close you live to a bus stop.
Cooling Centers are activated when temperatures are forecase to reach the High Risk level on the National Weather Service HeatRisk Index. The Bainbridge Island, Little Boston, Manchester, Port Orchard and Sylvan Way branches of the Kitsap Regional Libary are available during their hours of operation. Also, the Hazelwood Family YMCA in Silverday and the Bremeron Family YMCA are both open to the public Thursday evening until 10 p.m. and are included in the map below. Additionally, many local businesses, including malls and theaters have air conditioning.
To stay safe, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the peak of the heat hours in the mid to late afternoon, and make sure not to leave children or pets in vehicles – even with the window down. Additional safety infomation can be found here along with signs of heat illness.
To promote safety in the workplace Labor & Industry has established new rules for heat and air quality effective June 1. L&I’s Be Heat Smart web page has complete details of the requirements and additional steps employers anworkerscan take to prevent heat-related illnesses.
