Vancouver, August 17: Much of B.C.’s South Coast is under a heat warning with temperatures expected to soar.
Health officials warn people to be wary of heat-related illnesses for the next few days.
Environment Canada says the mercury will climb as high as 35 C inland and 27 C near the water on Wednesday and Thursday.
Warnings have been issued for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound.
Parts of Vancouver Island and further up the coast, as well as the Fraser Canyon and Thompson regions, are also impacted.
“A strong ridge of high pressure will bring a short-lived heat wave to British Columbia. Temperatures are expected to moderate on Friday,” said Environment Canada in an advisory.
Because of this, heat-related illness is a real danger, Environment Canada said.
Some of the symptoms include rash, cramps, fainting, exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
Younger children, older adults, pregnant people, those with chronic illnesses and anyone working or exercising outdoors are most at risk.
Those living alone and those who are marginally housed are also more impacted.
Several cities across the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health regions have opened cooling centres to offer relief.
“The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening. Extreme heat affects everyone,” said Environment Canada.
Preliminary data from the B.C. Coroners Service revealed that 16 people died during the record-breaking heat wave that arrived late last month — most were seniors.
However, temperatures this summer have not reached the highs that were seen during last year’s heat dome which led to more than 600 deaths.
He says it’s important to ensure adequate warnings and information gets out there without causing unnecessary fear.
Lundquist believes the B.C. Provincial Heat Alert and Response System introduced back in June is working well so far.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is a key component of that.
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