Pierce County recommends 'cooling' centers to beat the heat

The National Weather Service has declared an excessive heat warning for the Puget Sound region until 11 p.m. on Mon., July 1. According to the National Weather Service, an excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.

The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management reminds everyone to stay out of the heat as much as possible, and to check on elderly neighbors during this time. Locations around Pierce County that people can go to cool down include movie theaters, local malls, and other large stores, as well as Pierce County libraries throughout the region. Other facilities that are open include:

Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 C St. in Spanaway (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.);
Anderson Island Fire Department, 12207 Lake Josephine Blvd. (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.);
Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Ave. E (8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Mon. – Tues.);
City of Buckley Multi Purpose Center, 811 East Main (8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mon. – Tues.);
Mid County Community Center, 10205 44th Ave. E in Tacoma (8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon. – Thurs.);
Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington St (9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mon. – Thurs.);
Bonney Lake Senior Center, 19304 Bonney Lake Blvd (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon. – Fri.);
Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St. SW (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri.);
Chapel Hill Church, 7700 Skansie Ave. in Gig Harbor (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. – Thurs.).

The following locations allow people and their domesticated pets to come in and get out of the heat. NOTE: Pets need to be on a leash or in a crate and owners much provide water if they plan on being in the store for long periods of time: