4 Dead In Oregon Amid Sweltering, Triple-Digit Heat Wave

PORTLAND, OR — A sweltering heat wave in Oregon is suspected in at least four deaths as temperatures soared into the triple-digits this week.

At least three people died from suspected hyperthermia in Multnomah County, the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office said, and a fourth heat-related death was suspected in Umatilla County.

The deaths happened Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to The Associated Press. Temperatures across Oregon have hovered around 100 degrees every day since Monday, and were forecast to soar to 101 degrees Friday. On Tuesday, Portland recorded a daily record of 102 degrees.

“For the next several days through Saturday we’re going to be within a few degrees of 100 every day,” Colby Neuman, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Portland, told AP.

An excessive heat warning was issued Monday and will remain in effect until Saturday night.

"Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities and for those that do not have access to air conditioning," the National Weather Service said.

Accuweather forecast temperatures to reach 99 degrees in Portland Friday, 102 on Saturday and 98 on Sunday. Meanwhile, an air quality alert was in effect from Tuesday through Friday afternoon.

"High levels of ozone in the lower atmosphere in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups at times through Saturday evening," the weather service said. "This includes children, people over 65, pregnant women, and people with heart disease or respiratory conditions.

Portland could tie its longest streak of six consecutive days at 95 degrees or higher, Neuman told AP.

The weather service recommended residents drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors. Moreover, young children and pets should not be left alone in vehicles.

Climate change is fueling longer heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, where weeklong spells of excessive heat are historically rare, climate experts told AP.

In Portland, heat-related 911 calls tripled in recent days from an estimated eight calls Sunday to 28 on Tuesday, the city's Bureau of Emergency Management told AP. Most calls involved a medical response.

Meanwhile, emergency department visits in Multnomah County due to heat-related symptoms have remained elevated since Sunday, the county said.

"In the past three days, hospitals have treated 13 people for heat illness, when they would normally expect to see two or three," the county said in a statement.

ER visitors included people working or exercising outside and older people. The county said its four emergency overnight cooling shelters were at half capacity Tuesday, with 130 people spending the night. Officials expanded capacity at the four sites to accommodate nearly 300 people.

The latest deaths come after about 800 people died across Oregon, Washington and British Columbia during a heat wave that hit in late June and early July. That heat spell sent temperatures soaring to a record-high of 116 degrees in Portland. Many of the dead were older and lived alone.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.