Fife To Open Cooling Center For Incoming Heat

FIFE, WA — The City of Fife is getting the jump on the upcoming heat wave.

Later this week, high temperatures are set to reach into the upper 90s, edging towards the triple-digits. Not wanting a repeat of June's deadly heat wave, Fife has announced plans to open its community center, located at 2111 54th Ave E, from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

The city says the cooling center will have water available, plus activities like a DIY craft station and board games. The opening is free and no appointments are necessary, though visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be asked to wear masks inside.

Older adults, young children, and people with mental illnesses or chronic diseases are at particularly high risk during heat waves, and are encouraged to take advantage of the cooling center, especially if they don't have convenient access to AC or other means of cooling off.

Other cooling center openings may be announced as the weekend draws closer. For the last two bouts of high heat Pierce County leaders opened several cooling centers in Tacoma.

If you can't make it out to the cooling centers later this week, the county is offering a few heat safety tips:

• Spend time in air-conditioned spaces. If not a cooling center, consider an air-conditioned mall, theater, or another cool public place.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
• Dress in lightweight clothes.
• Check on your elderly neighbors or relatives. Encourage them to stay cool and drink lots of water.
• Limit time spent in direct sun.
• Do not leave children, pets, or people with limited mobility in parked cars.
• Stay tuned for emergency updates.