MONROE COUNTY — Extremely hot temperatures are posing a serious threat to public health and safety across the region, prompting local facilities to open as temporary cooling stations on Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The designated facilities offer residents a place to come indoors and cool down before continuing on their way. Officials emphasize that these locations are strictly temporary cooling sites; food, showers, and sleeping areas will not be provided. Individuals in need of overnight shelter are encouraged to seek assistance at local full-service shelters.
Visitors are asked to respect all facility rules and avoid entering restricted areas. Pets are permitted only at Station 21 (Clear Creek) and Station 29 (Van Buren), provided they remain in crates or carriers.
The following locations are participating in the cooling relief effort:
Locations Open Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
- Bloomington Fire Station 1: 300 E. 4th Street, Bloomington
- Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters: 5080 West State Road 46, Ellettsville
- Monroe Fire Protection District – Perry: 3953 South Kennedy Drive, Bloomington
- Monroe Fire Protection District – Clear Creek (Station 21): 9094 South Strain Ridge Road, Bloomington (Pets allowed in crates/carriers)
- Monroe Fire Protection District – Indian Creek: 8019 South Rockport Road, Bloomington
- Monroe Fire Protection District – Bloomington: 5081 North Old State Road 37, Bloomington
- Monroe Fire Protection District – Van Buren (Station 29): 2130 South Kirby Road, Bloomington (Pets allowed in crates/carriers)
- Monroe Fire Protection District – Benton: 7606 East State Road 45, Bloomington
Locations Open Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.):
- Ellettsville Branch Library: 600 W. Temperance Street, Ellettsville
- Downtown Branch Library: 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
- Southwest Branch Library: 890 W. Gordon Pike, Bloomington
