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Blood supplies are running so low that if they're not replenished, providers may have to cancel surgeries, officials say.

(Associated Press)

The early flu season and hazardous weather have created a critical shortage of blood supplies in the region.

Supplies are running so low that if they're not replenished, providers may have to cancel surgeries, according to Bloodworks Northwest.

Normally, blood supply centers can look elsewhere, but other regions are tapped, too.

"There is no extra supply out there right now," said Dr. James AuBuchon, president and chief executive officer of Bloodworks Northwest.

It's holding blood drives in the region on Thursday and Friday:

Thursday:

Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center, 400 N.E. Mother Joseph Place, Vancouver, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Wal-Mart, 1201 S.W. 13th Ave., Battle Ground, 12:oo to 6:00 p.m.

Friday:

Whole Foods, 4301 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross has had to help families and individuals from Vancouver to Klamath Falls since the beginning of the year. It still has a shelter open in Portland for more than three dozen people affected by the fire on Southwest Alder. and has helped people and pets displaced by a roof collapse in Hillsboro and an apartment fire in Gresham.

Officials warned residents to be extra careful with home heating, especially fireplaces and woodstoves, and to not have propane, gasoline, natural gas or charcoal-burning devides in closed spaces without ventilation.

-- Lynne Terry

lterry@oregonian.com; 503-221-8503