Baltimore Declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert Amidst Dangerous Temperatures

Baltimore City officials have issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert, effective from Wednesday, July 1, through Saturday, July 4, in response to anticipated dangerously high temperatures and heat index values expected to surpass 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This alert, coordinated by Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management (OEM), aims to inform residents and activate city resources to mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged extreme heat. The Baltimore City Health Commissioner has declared the alert in conjunction with a warning from the National Weather Service.

The City is implementing a series of measures to support residents during this period. These include coordinating public safety messaging, opening cooling centers, and conducting outreach to vulnerable populations. Residents are strongly advised to stay informed, limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated, and check on elderly neighbors, individuals with medical conditions, and others who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. The consecutive days of extreme heat, especially early in the summer season before many have acclimated, pose a significant risk for heat-related illnesses. This concern is amplified by the potential for power outages, which can quickly become life-threatening.

In anticipation of the extreme heat, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) is modifying its services. Residential recycling collections will be suspended from Wednesday, July 1, through the end of the week to protect sanitation workers. Residential Recycling Centers will operate with adjusted hours, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents are advised that trash collection will continue as scheduled, including on Friday, July 3, a city holiday. They are encouraged to place only trash at the curb this week. To further assist collection crews and mitigate heat exposure, DPW has implemented early start times for collection routes, beginning at 5 a.m., which will remain in effect until September 30, 2026. Residents are encouraged to place their trash bins out the night before their scheduled pickup.

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) is also adjusting its operations between July 1 and July 5 to ensure the safety of participants and staff. All outdoor athletic programming, including track practices, will be canceled. Tennis Camp activities will be moved indoors, and while athletic permits are not canceled, permit holders are being advised to reschedule activities during periods of extreme heat. Camp activities will primarily take place indoors during peak heat, with air-conditioned buses for transportation. Scheduled swim trips will proceed as planned for cooling activities. All outdoor recreation programming is suspended, with some program activities, such as those at the Carrie Murray program, moving indoors. A scheduled trip for the Virginia S. Baker Camp – Tree Trekkers has been rescheduled.

To provide additional relief, all City and Neighborhood Pools will offer extended evening hours and an expanded schedule. Pools that would typically be closed on Sundays will remain open during the Code Red event to maximize access to safe swimming opportunities. From Wednesday, July 1, through Thursday, July 2, pools will be open in two-hour blocks from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a break from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. From Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, pool hours will extend from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with breaks from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Various locations across the city will serve as community cooling centers from Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5. These centers include Cherry Hill Homes, Brooklyn Homes, ShopRite of Howard Park, Harford Senior Center, Hatton Senior Center, Oliver Senior Center, Sandtown Winchester Senior Center, Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging, Beans and Bread, Franciscan Center, Manna House, My Sisters Place (open to women and children), and Weinberg Housing Resource Center. Specific operating hours vary by location, with most senior centers open until 7 p.m. and others ranging from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additional recreation centers will be activated as cooling centers in the evenings from Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5, with hours extending into the late evening at many locations. The Enoch Pratt Free Library system will be open on Thursday, July 2, as cooling centers, but will be closed from Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, for the holiday.

The Baltimore Police Department is urging residents to take protective measures and check on vulnerable individuals. A simple check-in can significantly impact safety during this extreme heat. The Maryland Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has reported two heat-related deaths in Baltimore City for 2026. Residents seeking information about cooling centers during a Code Red alert can call 311. In the event of a heat-related medical emergency or symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, residents should call 911. Further information on Code Red alerts and heat safety resources can be found on the Baltimore City Health Department’s website and social media channels, as well as through the Baltimore City 311 line and local news media.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Baltimore Press Office

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