'The heat can be deadly': alerts issued as temperatures soar in B.C.

Environment Canada has issued a heat alert for all of Metro Vancouver including the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, Richmond, Delta, North and West Vancouver.

• Read: Environment Canada heat alert

"High temperatures will reach the low thirties today and Tuesday, which is approximately 12 C to 14 C above the average for the middle of June," reads the statement. "Daily temperature records may be broken in some communities."

People are reminded to:

• Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.
• Check on older family, friends and neighbours. 
• Reduce heat risk. Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.
• Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or air-conditioned spot like a public building.
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.
• Ask a health professional how medications or health conditions can affect your risk in the heat.
• Watch for the symptoms of heat illness: dizziness/fainting; nausea/vomiting; rapid breathing and heartbeat; extreme thirst; decreased urination with unusually dark urine.

Nighttime will be warm as well, with temperatures expected to hover around 16 C.

The hot weather is forecasted to last through Wednesday with cooler air moving in Thursday.

Donations needed for most vulnerable

The weather service advised caution in many other areas of B.C. due to the heat.

On Vancouver Island, Island Health medical health officer Dr. Dee Hoyano said concerns about heat stroke and heat exhaustion need to be taken seriously.

Her advice, especially to seniors, children or those with disabilities. is to be careful when feeling dizzy, nauseous or if a headache appears to be coming on during the heat.

In Vancouver, Union Gospel Mission's Jeremy Hunka is also concerned about the city's homeless.

In a near-empty donation stockroom, Hunka said the charity is desperate for donations of hot-weather goods: reusable water bottles, sunscreen and hats.

"We know that lives are on the line and the heat can be deadly," Hunka said. "Especially for people who are already vulnerable, on the street or have a diminished immune system."

"For somebody who is already on the brink, it could be life and death."

Watch for dogs in cars

B.C. SPCA spokesperson Lorie Chortyk says the heat can be a problem for animals as well.

Many pets will feel heat more because they can't sweat and retain more heat, she said.

"They're all at risk. Rabbits are particularly vulnerable to heat, but certainly dogs and cats and all animals," she told All Points West host Jason D'Souza.

The largest concern during a heat wave, she added, are dogs stuck in hot cars.

She said that last year, the SPCA responded to over 1,000 calls for dogs stuck in hot cars. "Unfortunately, with the weather we've been having, we'll be looking at the same number or higher [this year]."

She said dog owners can help their companions beat the heat by exercising them in shorter spurts — preferably early or late in the day — keep them off concrete in favour of grass and make sure they are hydrated.

Summer is here

According to David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, the pattern of warm, dry weather is expected to settle in for much of the summer.

"This is the dry run, the dress rehearsal of what we think the summer will be. I guess it's a matter of getting used to it," he said.

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From Vancouver to Fort Nelson, the forecast is for temperatures 10 C above normal for the next few days.

On the South Coast, including Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, temperatures will reach the high 20s close to the water and the low 30s inland on Monday. 

In the Central Interior, temperatures will reach near 30 C and close to 35 C in the Southwest Interior.

• More details from Environment Canada

As the heat moved in over the weekend records fell across the province, including in Lillooet, which reached 34 C to make it B.C.'s hottest community on Sunday.

More new records are expected to be set until the high-pressure ridge starts to break down on Thursday or Friday.

Wildfire risk rising

While temperatures will drop later in the week, the hot dry weather is likely to return as the summer progresses.

"We think this is going to be the kind of summer ahead," Phillips says.

"The dog days of summer are typically Aug. 1-4, and we are a long way from that. There is lots of potential here for warming things up."

It means wildfires could be a problem again this summer, he notes.

• Canadian Wildland Fire Information System seasonal forecasts

"We haven't had a lot of rain. My sense is that this is going to be the headline this summer."

With files from CBC Radio One's All Points West

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