Near-record temperatures are expected in Seattle on Thursday and Friday, and several cities and municipalities are opening cooling centers where residents can seek shelter from the heat.

This list is formatted alphabetically, quotes directly from news releases and will be updated as we receive more information.

Editor's note: Most of these news releases were sent Thursday, so "today" means Thursday, August 16. That may not be the case for every city and/or municipality, however, so if you are confused about times or dates that cooling centers are available, contact that city/municipality directly.

Auburn

In anticipation of an Excessive Heat Warning from the National Weather Service the City of Auburn plans to provide a cooling center on Thursday, Aug. 16 and Friday, Aug. 17 at the following locations:

Thursday, August 16

• Auburn Senior Center, 808 9th ST SE, 8am-9pm 

Friday, August 17

• Auburn Senior Center, 808 9th ST SE, 8am-4pm 
• William C. Warren Bldg, Veteran's Memorial Park, 411 E ST NE, 4pm-9pm 

Centers are open to people of all ages and to properly caged/restrained pets. Some pet cages will be available on-site if needed. An Excessive Heat Warning means that a period of dangerously hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and rather high humidity combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are more likely. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids for good hydration. Try to stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun if possible. Check on relatives and neighbors, particularly those with health issues that may make them more susceptible to heat illnesses. Other places to visit to stay cool are Auburn City Hall, malls, movie theaters, restaurants, and libraries during normal business hours. Do not leave pets or children in the car while you run an errand. The temperature in a vehicle is much higher than outside and it only takes a few minutes for severe medical problems and even death to occur. If you know you will be visiting a place where pets are not allowed, it is best to leave them at home. For more information, contact the City's Emergency Management division at 253-876-1925 or visit www.auburnwa.gov/disaster

Bellevue

With temperatures expected to reach the 90s Thursday and Friday, several Bellevue community centers will be open during drop-in hours to help residents stay cool.

• Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St., 425-452-4874
• Highland Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road, 425, 452-7686
• North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E., 425-452-7681
• South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 SE Newport Way, 425-452-4240

For drop-in hours at each center, visit www.bellevuewa.gov/community_centers.htm or call Bellevue Parks & Community Services at 425-452-6885.

When outside temperatures are very high, the danger for heat-related illnesses rises. Older adults, young children, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at particularly high risk.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch for Thursday and Friday. Public Health - Seattle & King County offers the following tips to stay cool:

• Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting a mall, movie theater or other cool public places.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
• Dress in lightweight clothing.
• Check up on elderly neighbors and relatives and encourage them to take these precautions too.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar because they can actually dehydrate your body.

If you go outside:

Limit the time you're in direct sunlight and do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down. Avoid or reduce doing activities that are tiring, or take a lot of energy. Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning and evening hours.

King County offers more tips in English, Spanish, Chinese Vietnamese, Russian and Korean on its Beat the Heat webpage www.kingcounty.gov/health/beattheheat.aspx

Water safety:

Some people turn to local rivers to cool off, but drowning is a real concern. Please use caution and wear a personal flotation device on the water. Find deals on affordable life jackets at http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/injury/water/pfd.aspx

And if you want to swim, choose a safer location - visit a local pool or lifeguarded beach instead.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services provides lifeguards at six beaches and the indoor Bellevue Aquatic Center.  For lifeguard information, visit www.bellevuewa.gov/beach_lifeguard_sched.htm or call 425-452-4444.

Centralia

On Thursday and  Friday, the temperature in Centralia is expected to reach the mid 90's.   The City of Centralia will be operating a cooling station at city hall (118 West Maple Street) between the hours of 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM each day.  

Individuals are welcome to spend some time in a temperature controlled environment in the city council chambers.  

Water will  be available.  

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied and supervised.

In these extreme temperatures, stay out of the sun during the heat of the day, drink plenty of water, wear light colored and  loose fitting clothing,  use sun screen on exposed  parts of your body, and wear a hat.

Federal Way

The City of Federal Way is offering hot weather shelter at the Community Center should a forecasted heat wave materialize this week. Temperatures may reach the low 90s Thursday and Friday, according to the latest forecasts.

The Federal Way Community Center, located at 876 S. 333rd ST., will be available as a respite from possible high temperatures and will remain available as necessary until the temperatures have eased. Heat waves are of great concern for those vulnerable to extreme temperature variations, such as the elderly, the very young, or those with other medical conditions that could lead to heat stroke or other problems.

During this period of possible extreme hot weather, the Community Center will be open to citizens of all ages who need some air-conditioned relief. Weekday hours are 5:30am until 9:30pm. The facility is open Saturdays, from 7am to 6pm and Sundays, 9am to 6pm

Facility services such as the swimming pools, workout equipment and showers are not available as part of the cooling center. However, individuals may choose to purchase a day use pass to access those amenities. Restrooms will be available. No pets are allowed, except for service animals.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact Federal Way Community Center Supervisor Doug Nelson at 253.835.6930 or doug.nelson@cityoffederalway.com. More information about the Community Center can be found at www.itallhappenshere.org.

Kirkland

Public buildings with air conditioning will be available for Kirkland residents seeking relief from the extremely hot weather taking place over the next few days.  

 TheNational Weather Service has announced an excessive heat watch for Thursday, August 16 and Friday, August 17.  

Residents are encouraged to visit air conditioned places such as those listed below, a mall or movie theater, to check on relatives and neighbors, particularly those with health issues, and to never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows rolled down. 

For current and future weather conditions visit the website at www.weather.gov/seattle For heat survival tips, visit Public Health - King County/Seattle at www.kingcounty.gov/health/BeatTheHeat

Public buildings in Kirkland include:

Peter Kirk Community Center, 352 Kirkland Avenue

• Monday - Friday
• 8am - 5 pm
• Phone: 425-587-3360
• Note: Center is closed for yearly maintenance August 20 - August 31.

North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Avenue NE

• Monday - Thursdays 8am - 8pm Friday 8am - 5pm 
• Sat 9am - 12noon
• Phone: 425-587-3350
• Note: Center is closed for yearly maintenance August 27 - September 9

Peter Kirk Pool, 348 Kirkland Avenue

 Open Swims scheduled through August 19, 2012:   

• Monday & Wednesday: 12:30 - 2:00 pm, 2:10-3:40 pm and 7:30-8:30 pm
• Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30 - 2:00 pm, 2:10-3:40 pm., 7:30-8:30 pm
• Friday:, 12:30-2:00 pm, 2:10-3:40 pm, 3:50-5:20 pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 12:30-2:00 pm, 2:10-3:40 pm, 3:50-5:20 pm
• Phone: 425-587-3335
• Web: www.kirklandwa.gov

Kirkland Public Library, 308 Kirkland Avenue

• Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 9 pm
• Friday, 10 am - 6 pm
• Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
• Sunday, 1 - 5 pm
• Phone: 425-822-2459

Kingsgate Library, 12315 NE 143rd Street

• Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 9 pm
• Friday, 10 am - 6 pm
• Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
• Sunday, 1 - 5 pm
• Phone: 425-821-7686

Pierce County

Pierce County cooling stations:

Tacoma Public Library branches www.tacomapubliclibrary.org/Page.aspx?nid=3

County library branches  www.piercecountylibrary.org/branches/branch-listing.htm

Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 S. C St., Spanaway/Parkland, 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. today and Friday.

South Hill Mall, 3500 S. Meridian, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Friday.

Anderson Island Fire Department, 12207 Lake Josephine Blvd., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Friday.n Fife Community Center 2111 54th Ave. E., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Friday.

City of Buckley Multi Purpose Center, 811 East Main, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. today and Friday.

Buckley Youth Activity Center, 251 River Ave. S., noon-7:30 p.m. today; noon-9:30 p.m. Friday.

Mid County Community Center, 10205 44th Ave. E. in Tacoma, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. today, closed Friday.

Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington St., 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday.

Bonney Lake Senior Center, 19304 Bonney Lake Blvd., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Friday.

Chapel Hill Church, 7700 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. today; closed Friday.

DuPont Public Safety Building EOC, 1780 Civic Drive, 1-10 p.m. today through Sunday.

Read more here: blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/08/16/hot-weather-safety-pierce-county-cooling-stations-and-tips-for-todays-heat-wave/#storylink=cpy

Poulsbo

Due to the recently issued Excessive Heat Watch, Poulsbo Fire will be offering our citizens a place to keep cool. We will be opening our air conditioned conference room at Station 71; located at 911 N.E. Liberty Road.Thursday hours will be 8:00 am - 6:30 pm; Friday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm. We will provide bottled water for hydration.

Thurston County

KIRO 7 news partner The Olympian has a full list of cooling centers in that county at this link: www.theolympian.com/2012/08/16/2215693/cooling-stations-open-throughout.html

Seattle

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Seattle and most of the Puget Sound region from noon today until 11 PM Friday evening. High temperatures in the Seattle area are expected to remain above 90 degrees for much of that time. NWS is predicting that today and tomorrow will be among the hottest days of the year. Warm weather is forecast through the weekend.  Residents are encouraged to stay in a cool area, remain well hydrated and visit places with air conditioning if necessary.

“During this heat wave it’s important to stay cool and safe,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “Use caution if you are spending time outside, and please take a moment to check on vulnerable friends and neighbors.”

Older adults, young children, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases face the highest risk for heat-related illness, although anyone can be affected. Animals are also vulnerable.

Seattle Police Department officers and human service organizations are handing out water to vulnerable populations today and tomorrow.

The City of Seattle encourages individuals that are in need of a break from the heat to consider visiting one of the many public facilities equipped with air conditioning. These facilities include the following:

In addition, Seattle Parks and Recreation is operating wading pools, outdoor pools, beaches, and the public fountains at Seattle Center. Most Seattle parks also have drinking fountains to help the public stay hydrated.

High temperatures have also brought increased fire danger. The Seattle Fire Department asked residents to be careful with open flames and to be mindful of burn bans and fire restrictions at state lands and parks. Residents should call 911 immediately if they spot any fires.

More information about summer fire safety can be found at www.seattle.gov/fire/pubEd/brochures/Summer%20Safety.pdf.

Online heat resources:

• For more tips on beating the extreme heat, visit www.seattle.gov for an overview of resources
• Seattle-King County Public Health: www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/beattheheat.aspx
• Tips to keep pets safe: www.seattle.gov/news/detail.asp?ID=13017&Dept=44
• Seattle City Light tips to stay cool and conserve energy: powerlines.seattle.gov/2012/08/16/hot-weather-in-the-forecast-stay-cool-without-blowing-your-budget/