GRESHAM, Ore. — Multnomah County, the city of Gresham and the nonprofit Friends of Trees held a tree-planting ceremony at Nadaka Nature Park on Saturday, remembering those who died during the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome.
Families who lost a loved one, like Tracy O'Leary, placed a heart in the soil while giving a tree a new home.
O’Leary said she lost her older brother to hyperthermia.
“He was healthy, young, but the heat just got to him,” said O'Leary.
The heat wave was hottest from June 24 to June 29 in 2021 when temperatures climbed up to 119 degrees Fahrenheit. At least 96 people died in Oregon, the majority from Multnomah County. Most had no air conditioning or were home alone.
“Where he lived in the apartments ... the window didn’t even open,” O'Leary said.
In addition to honoring those who died, the trees provide shade and cooler temperatures for eastern parts of Portland with fewer trees.
“We must actively combat climate change," said Commissioner Lori Stegmann of District 4. "By shading our homes, streets and parks, we can cool our county by as much as 10 degrees, which helps break up our heat islands and provide cleaner air.”
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PHOTOS: 72 trees planted in memory of those who died during 2021 heat dome
The 72 trees were planted in memory of each life lost during the 2021 heat dome. The trees will be placed around neighborhoods in the eastern part of the county that experience above-average temperatures during summer.
Friends of Trees said trees are one of the most resilient ways to fight back against the detrimental effects of climate change.
"We need more folks signing up for trees," said Yahsar Vasef, the executive director for Friends of Trees. "We need more folks volunteering; this is a community effort.”