More heat warnings issued for southern B.C.
Vancouver opens cooling centres as temperatures forecast to hit high 20s on the coast, high 30s inland
More heat warnings have been issued for southern B.C., from Victoria to the Okanagan, with temperatures expected to hit the high 20s on the coast and the high 30s on Tuesday.
On Monday, temperatures hit the high 20s on the South Coast, including Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.
Inland, from the Fraser Canyon to the Okanagan Valley, temperatures were in the 35 C range.
Vancouver opens cooling centres
With the forecast heat, the City of Vancouver has opened 10 cooling centres in air conditioned community centres and libraries, and added eight temporary water fountains.
Community centres on the Downtown Eastside are providing sunscreen and water to homeless and vulnerable people, and tenants of the city's housing operations are being encouraged to seek air conditioned lobbies or common spaces.
In Victoria, drinking water stations have been set up at the Our Place drop-in centre.
"It's extremely hard because most places won't even give you a glass of water if you are not a patron," said lead outreach worker Benoit Hallis.
In Port Alberni, where high temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s, the Port Alberni Shelter Society is providing water and places to cool down, and executive director Wes Heweitt is asking people to watch out for each other.
"The people that are at the biggest risk are the seniors....and whether they are homeless or not, it's important for people in the community to check on them."
Helping those who are vulnerable beat the heat. <a href="https://twitter.com/ourplacesociety?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ourplacesociety</a> has set up drinking water stations outside the drop-in centre. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yyj?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#yyj</a> <a href="https://t.co/8mtb3B5rl4">pic.twitter.com/8mtb3B5rl4</a>
—@meganTcbcKamloops wildfire
An air quality advisory has also been issued for the Kamloops area because of smoke from a large wildfire that started last week.
The East Shuswap Road wildfire is now 545 hectares in size. More than 100 firefighters have been fighting the fire.
The fire danger rating for much of the province is now moderate to high, with some pockets of areas rated extreme.
There are no campfire bans yet in place anywhere in B.C., but large open fires are banned in the Kamloops, Southeast and Cariboo fire centres.
- See the latest air quality advisories
- See the latest on the East Shuswap Road wildfire
- See the fire danger rating
The weather is forecast to cool off midweek, as a cool weather system moves across the province.
Extreme heat affects everyone
"These high temperatures are not out of the ordinary for this time of year. However, please be aware of the health risks associated with hot weather," said the warning from Environment Canada.
"Extreme heat affects everyone. The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.
"Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
"Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle."
With files from Megan Thomas in Victoria