PORTLAND, Ore.—Cooling centers began opening across the U.S. Pacific Northwest on Friday as local officials warned of “life-threatening heat” in the coming days that could shatter high-temperature records. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued excessive heat warnings and watches across nearly all of Oregon and Washington state, along with parts of California and Idaho, telling residents that the punishing conditions could be fatal. “This is life-threatening heat,” Jennifer Vines, health officer for Multnomah County in Oregon, said in a statement. “People need to find someplace cool to spend time during the coming days.” Multnomah County, which includes Portland, plans to open three cooling centers this weekend, including one at the Oregon Convention Center. The city is home to some 650,000 people. “I’ve never seen it this hot in Portland. Having lived in California, this is hot,” said Oscar Suarez, a 31-year-old chef at Rose City Futsal, an indoor soccer venue …