UPDATE: Camas ‘Concert in the Park’ is cancelled due to excessive heat warning

With temperatures throughout Southwest Washington expected to hit 100 degrees or higher this week, a number of organizations took precautions and canceled public events ahead of the extreme hot weather. Camas Farmer's Market organizers canceled the Aug. 2 market yesterday, posting online that the cancellation was "for the safety of customers and vendors" and urging everyone to "please stay cool, safe and well hydrated."The Washougal Parks Board meeting, originally scheduled for today at 3:30 p.m., at Hartwood Park, also is cancelled due to extreme temperatures.The Parks Board meetings will resume at 3:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 7, at Sandy Swimming Hole Park, 550 N. Shepherd Road, Washougal.Camas Parks and Recreation have called off tonight's "Concert in the Park," featuring award-winning blues artist Lisa Mann, which was scheduled to run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Crown Park, due to concerns over extremely hot weather.Some events are still on schedule, however, including the free "water carnival," a part of Camas' "Family Fun Fridays" events, which will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 4, in Crown Park. "There should be a big crowd for that," said Camas Parks and Recreation Special Events Coordinator Krista Bashaw of the water-themed daytime event. At press time, the city of Camas' free "Movie in the Park" series was still scheduled to kick off with a showing of "Sing," (PG) at 8:45 p.m., Friday, Aug. 4, in Crown Park. Likewise, the Camas First Friday festivities, organized by the Downtown Camas Association, are still set for Aug. 4. A variety of games will be played inside Journey Community Church, 304 N.E. Fourth Ave., and shops, restaurants, art galleries and the Liberty Theatre will be open during the extended hours of 5 to 8 p.m. that night.MESA Mexican restaurant, however, has decided to postpone its Aug. 4 outdoor concert until the Sept. 1 First Friday celebration.The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning earlier this week and said high temperatures were expected to climb to 107 degrees by this afternoon, falling to a still-hotter-than-normal 100 degrees on Friday.The elderly, people without access to air conditioning and anyone engaged in prolonged outdoor activities will be particularly vulnerable during this heat episode. Local power demand also is expected to be at high levels.The city of Washougal has established cooling stations in the municipal complex -- at City Hall, the library and the community center. Look for the cooling station sign to determine which location is open.Washougal City Hall, at 1701 "C" St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Washougal Community Center, at 1681 "C" St., will operate as a cooling station this week from 5 to 9 p.m., through Friday.The Washougal Community Library, at 1661 "C" St., is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Several churches within the community are participating in the relief effort. Look for the cooling station signs around town. The city of Camas is extending the hours of the Camas Public Library, at 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., today to help those in need of a free, public, air-conditioned space. "We usually close at 6 p.m. on Thursdays, but we will be open until 8 p.m. to provide a cool shelter for those without air conditioning," said Camas Library Director Connie Urquhart. On Friday, Aug. 4, the Camas library will close at 6 p.m., but the Second Story Gallery, located on the library's second floor, will be open for First Friday until 8 p.m. The library will close at its regular time of 6 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 5.Washington State Parks is urging campers to be extra cautious with campfires and be aware of the possibility of campfire restrictions in some state parks. As temperatures rise and dry conditions persist, the risk for wildfire increases.For information about fire danger ratings in each county, visit www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/wildfire-resources.

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