Pierce County residents will have access to free rides on Tuesday, August 12, as Pierce Transit partners with the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management to help people reach cooling centers and shelters during a Heat Advisory.
The National Weather Service’s Heat Advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday, as a ridge of high pressure brings above-average temperatures to the Puget Sound area. Overnight conditions are expected to remain warm, with lows staying in the mid-60s or higher in some spots.
Free rides will be available on all Pierce Transit routes through the end of service on Tuesday, and registered customers can also access complimentary SHUTTLE rides. Officials noted that the program could be extended if extreme heat persists or cooling centers remain open longer than planned.
Forecasts predict highs in the mid- to upper 80s for much of the county, with certain areas reaching the mid-90s by Tuesday afternoon. Alongside the heat, low humidity could contribute to declining air quality and heightened fire risk.
Several library branches will serve as late-closing cooling sites, including Gig Harbor, Key Center, Lakewood Pierce County, Milton/Edgewood, and Steilacoom libraries, which are open until 7 p.m. University Place, Bonney Lake, and Parkland/Spanaway libraries will stay open until 8 p.m., providing additional evening relief.
Authorities are reminding residents to take extra precautions in excessive heat, stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, and seek shaded or air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
