"PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Pacific Northwest wilted on Thursday under the latest sweltering heat wave to punish the region this summer, as near-record temperatures strained power grids and drove residents to seek shade.

In Portland, which tied a daily temperature record at 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius) on Wednesday, city officials opened cooling centers in libraries and schools.

"I have the medical issues and then the heat just intensifies everything. You can't think straight," said Tamara Heffler, who would not leave her Portland homeless encampment for a cooling center out of fear that her belongings would be stolen."

Justin Yau reports for Reuters August 12, 2021. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Temperatures Soar As Washington And Oregon Baked By Another Major Heatwave" (Guardian) [3]

"The Pacific Northwest, Built for Mild Summers, Is Scorching Yet Again" (New York Times) [4]

"Heat Wave Blasts U.S. With 150 Million Americans Under Alerts" (Washington Post) [5]

"N.J. Weather: It’ll Feel Like Almost 110 As The Heat Wave Becomes Official On Friday" (Advance) [6]