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Written and photographed by Will Yurman

KLCC has published a list of cooling centers in Lane County. Hot weather and poor air quality are forecast for the next few days, and even the coast isn’t immune to warmer than normal weather and smoke.

For the Florence/Mapleton area the Siuslaw Public Library is a place to escape the heat:

The Siuslaw Library in Florence hours are:
Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Mapleton Branch is open Wednesday – Saturday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., and is closed Sunday – Tuesday.

The Oregon Department of Human Services in Florence at 3180 Highway 101 N is listed by the state as an official cooling station. They are open:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and are closed Saturday and Sunday.

The department is closed on all major holidays.

I spoke with the local office, and they said they have a small lobby, with limited space.