With high temperatures expected across southern Maine on Friday, the City of Portland is opening a cooling center to help residents escape the heat. City officials announced that the downtown Portland Public Library, located at 5 Monument Square, will serve as the city’s designated cooling center on Friday, August 7, following a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service. In addition to the cooling center, the city is encouraging residents to take advantage of other places to stay cool, including the Deering Oaks Ravine and Portland’s public splash pads. Officials are also reminding residents to take common-sense precautions during the heat, including:Limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. Residents looking for additional information on staying safe during extreme heat can find guidance from the National Weather Service’s heat safety resources.