Heat Resources

Assistance, Uncategorized

Southern Berkshire County Heat Safety Resources

Current Unhealthy Heat Alert Status

There is an unhealthy heat Forecast for 6/12/2026 – 6/14/2026.

Massachusetts Heat Forecast & Alerts

The Massachusetts Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health provides:

Massachusetts Unhealthy Heat Forecast | Mass.gov

Unhealthy Heat Forecast thresholds:
- Yellow: 78–84°F – some risk for vulnerable groups.
- Orange: 85°F+ for 1–2 days – increased risk for all.
- Red: 85°F+ for 3+ days – UNHEALTHY HEAT ALERT – high risk for all Mass.gov.
Extreme Heat Resource Guide with prevention, treatment, and planning tools Mass.gov.

Why the Heat is Dangerous

The U.S. Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health warns that the first heatwave of the season carries the highest risk because people haven’t yet acclimated to the heat. Prolonged exposure can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and worsen chronic conditions. Vulnerable groups include older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, outdoor workers, and people with chronic illnesses.

Heat Safety Tips

Stay hydrated with water, not sugary or alcoholic drinks.
Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat hours (10 a.m.–6 p.m.).
Seek cooler environments — use air conditioning or cooling centers.
Check on vulnerable neighbors who may not have air conditioning, including older adults (especially over 60), children under 5, pregnant people, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, and those without air conditioning.
Never leave children, pets, or disabled persons in a vehicle — cars can heat up to lethal temperatures in minutes National Weather Service.

Southern Berkshire County Cooling Centers

During heat advisories or alerts, local organizations open as cooling centers:

Egremont

Egremont Town Hall: 171 Egremont Plain Rd, Egremont. 413 528-0182. Hours: M- F 7am – 3pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Call to confirm hours.

Great Barrington

Berkshire South: 15 Crissey Rd, Great Barrington. (413) 528 2810 www.berkshiresouth.org . Hours: M-F 6am – 8:30pm, Sat & Sun 7am -5pm. Call to confirm hours.
Claire Teague Senior Center: 917 Main St, Great Barrington. (413) 528 1881. www.greatbarringtonseniors.org
Hours: M-F, 8am – 3:30pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Call to confirm hours.
Great Barrington Town Hall: 334 Main St, Great Barrington. (413) 528- 1619. www.townofgbma.gov: M-F, 8:30am – 4pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Call to confirm hours.
Mason Library: 231 Main St, Great Barrington. Hours: M-F (413) 528-2403. www.gblibraries.org. M-F 10am- 6pm, Sat 10am – 3pm. Call to confirm hours.
Ramsdell Library: 1087 Main St, Housatonic. (413) 274-3738. www.gblibraries.org Hours: M, T, W from 1pm – 6pm. Sat from 10am- 3pm and Sunday from 1pm -4pm. Call to confirm hours.

Lee

Lee Library: 100 Main St, Lee. (413) 243-0385 [email protected]. www.leelibraryma.org Hours: M-F, 10am – 6pm. Sat 10am-2pm. Closed Sunday. Call to confirm hours.

Lenox

Lenox Library: 18 Main Street, Lenox. (413) 637-0197 https://lenoxlib.org Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am – 7pm, Fri & Sat 10am – 5pm. Closed Sunday. Call to confirm hours.

Monterey

Monterey Town Hall: 435 Main Rd, Monterey (413) 528 1443, www.montereyma.gov . Hours: Mon-Weds and Friday, 9am – 5pm, Thursday 9am-1pm. Call to confirm hours.
Monterey Library: 452 Main Rd, Monterey. (413) 528-3795, [email protected], www.montereyma.gov/monterey-library.Hours: Monday 7pm – 9pm, Tuesday: 9am to 1pm, Wednesday: 9am to 1pm &1:30pm to 5p m, Thursday: 9am to 1pm & 4pm to 8 pm, Friday: 4pm to 8pm, Saturday: 9am to 1pm & 7pm to 9pm. Closed Sundays. Call to confirm hours.

Mount Washington

Mount Washington Town Hall: 2 Plantain Pond Rd, Mount Washington. (413) 528-2839. [email protected]. www.mountwashington-ma.gov Hours: Monday, 11am-3pm, Tuesdays 9am – 2pm. Other times by appointment only. Call to confirm hours or to request opening.

New Marlborough

New Marlborough Fire Department: 205 Norfolk Rd, Southfield. (413) 229-8100. Fire and Rescue Department | New Marlborough, MA. Call for hours.

Otis

Otis Town Hall: 1 N Main Rd, Otis. (413) 269-0100. www.townofotisma.com Monday- Thursday, 8am– 4pm. Call to confirm hours.
Otis Library: 48 North Main Rd, Otis. (413) 269-0109. [email protected]. Call for hours.

Sheffield

Bushnell- Sage Library, 48 Main St, Sheffield. (413) 229-7004. www.bushnellsagelibrary.org . Hours: Tues & Weds 10am- 5pm, Thurs and Friday, 10am – 7pm, Sat 10am- 2pm, Sun 2pm – 5pm.

Stockbridge

Stockbridge Council on Aging Room, 50 Main Street Ground Floor, Stockbridge. (413) 298- 4170 x8. Call for hours.
The Stockbridge Library, 48 Main St, Stockbridge. (413) 298-5501. [email protected] www.stockbridgelibrary.org . Hours: Tuesday, 9am-8pm, Weds and Thurs 9am – 5pm, Fri 9am – 8pm, Sat 9am – 2pm.

Tyringham

Tyringham Town Hall: 116 Main Rd, Tyringham. (413) 243-1749. www.tyringham-ma.gov. Hours: Mon- Thurs
9am– 4pm. Please call to confirm hours.
Tyringham Library: 118 Main Rd, Tyringham. (413) 24- 1749 x107. [email protected] Hours: Tues 9:30am – 12:30pm, Weds 10am – 12pm, Thurs 4-6pm, Sat 9:30am – 12:30pm. Closed Sunday, Monday and Friday.

West Stockbridge

West Stockbridge Public Library: 21 State Line Rd, West Stockbridge, (413) 232-0300 x308, [email protected]. Hours: Mon, Weds, Thurs, Sat: 10am – 3pm. Tues & Friday 2pm – 6pm. Closed Sunday. Call to confirm hours.