Gabe Dumas, left, sprays neighbor Leo Bailey with a water gun Monday in Auburn. Four siblings from the Bailey family and two from the Dumas family cooled off in two inflatable pools filled by Bailey’s father, Aaron. Logan Bailey, 2, is shown in the middle. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
LEWISTON — People across much of Maine were greeted Monday with searing heat and stifling humidity, as temperatures in some areas soared to the mid-90s.
In Lewiston-Auburn, temperatures hit at least 91 degrees, prompting a warning from the National Weather Service that conditions could be dangerous for some people.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection also issued an air quality alert for coastal Maine.
Auburn officials announced Monday afternoon the city was planning to open two cooling centers. Norway Savings Bank Arena at 985 Turner St. is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and the Auburn Senior Community Center at 48 Pettengill Park Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Clay Kauzlaric of Portland swims laps Monday at Range Pond State Park in Poland. Kauzlaric and Amelia Downs, not pictured, say they selected Lower Range Pond because it is the warmest body of water at the moment. “Ocean swimming is a little difficult right now,” Kauzlaric says. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
The senior center will serve as a polling place Tuesday, so it will not be open that day as a cooling center.
“If you’re feeling the heat, bring some snacks, a book and/or your mobile device, and spend some time in one of our cooling centers,” officials wrote in their announcement.
Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque reminded residents of other places to stay cool, including the Auburn Mall and other businesses with regulated temperatures.
“We continue to explore more and more areas where people can be cooled and warmed, depending on the season,” Levesque said.
Lewiston Mayor Mark Cayer said Monday the city had no imminent plan to open a cooling center, but encouraged anyone looking for help to contact the city’s Social Services Department at 207-513-3130.
Lewiston’s Kennedy Park pool is not open for the summer.
The high heat and humidity are expected to continue into Tuesday, before things ease later in the week.
For information on how to stay healthy during extreme heat, see the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s website — www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/heat/keepcool.html.
Ellis Saucier of Auburn works in her garden Monday morning at her home of 17 years. Saucier was born down the street from her current home, moved away, and then returned because she missed her house’s proximity to Lake Auburn and the tight-knit community. Saucier appreciates that her neighbors all look out for each other and will always extend a helping hand. As of 7:30 a.m. Monday, Saucier had already watered her backyard and went to fill the bird bath so the birds can cool off as the temperature rose higher in the afternoon. Anna Gouveia/Sun Journal
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