Oregonians can pump their own gas Friday, granting attendants relief from heat

Hand grasps gas hose nozzle with gas station pump in background.

An Arco gas station located at 1729 NE Cornell Road, Hillsboro, Ore., May 1, 2020. Mark Graves/StaffMark Graves/The Oregonian

Oregonians can pump their own gas until 11:59 p.m. Friday to provide relief for gas station attendants during the heat wave, the Office of the State Fire Marshal announced Thursday.

Gas stations can still opt to provide gas attendant services, the Fire Marshal’s Office said, but they are encouraged to provide attendants with water and cool relief areas.

The announcement comes as temperatures are forecast to reach 99 in Portland and over 100 in many parts of southern Oregon on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The high temperatures led Gov. Kate Brown to declare a state of emergency, freeing up state agencies to provide assistance during the heat wave as needed.

Brown’s office approved the suspension of Oregon’s law prohibiting self-serve at retail gasoline stations.

The temporary lift on the ban won’t affect the areas in Oregon that already allow self-serve gas.

-- Jack Forrest

jforrest@oregonian.com; 541-222-9808; Follow me on Twitter @Jackmandu55

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