Heat alert system improved for B.C.
Though its been a relatively cool spring, the B.C. government still advises people to be prepared for summer heat, noting a new alert system is ready for use.
The province, working with a number of partners, has updated and improved the B.C. Heat Alert and Response System (BCHARS).
“We have a system now where we can put out information where people can understand what the risk is in your area,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s Public Health Officer, announced Friday, May 31.
“It’s important to pay attention to these. We’ll be putting out heat warnings when we have higher than normal temperatures over a number of days, but its pretty steady, so we know those are the [days] when you need to take regular actions like monitoring what you’re doing during the day, finding that cool space at night, taking measures to cool down, making sure you’re staying well hydrated.
“In those occasions where we have not only higher daytime temperatures but it’s continually getting hotter over a period of days and it’s not cooling down at night, that’s when we would be in a state of an extreme heat emergency, and we will be notifying people about that.”
Henry encouraged people to develop household plans for dealing with the heat. Those could include:
- Use an air conditioner or heat pump
- Use a digital thermometer to keep track of the indoor heat
- Close the blinds to keep the heat of the sun from getting inside
- Find the cooler rooms or areas of a home
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid strenuous or prolonged activities in the heat
- Do not leave children or pets in vehicles for any period of time
- Know what cooling centres and resources are available in your community
Henry noted there are certain individuals who are more vulnerable to the heat, including people with disabilities or chronic health conditions, pregnant people, children, and people who are socially isolated. She encouraged people putting together their plans consult with and include these individuals from their families and communities into their plans.
More information on heat preparedness can be found through Emergency PrepardnessBC’s Emergency Preparedness Heat Guide..
Summer temperature outlook (Environment Canada image)The province also announced Friday a $20-million investment to allow the Free Portable Air Condition program to be expanded and provide roughly 19,000 units to eligible households.
This marks a tripling of the program, which has provided over 6,000 free AC unit to people since the summer of 2023.
Josie Osborne, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, noted the Residential Tenancy Branch has recently provided clarity to ensure AC units are permitted within rental units, which stated a rationalization, such as a safety concern, must be included in rental agreement to justify the ban of an AC unit within a renter’s home.
The province also announced that a $6-million grant through the B.C. Care Providers Association’s EquipCare B.C. program was going to support improvements to long-term care and assisted living homes throughout the province.
“By enhancing safety measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of heat related illnesses and hospitalizations, ensuring our elderly loved ones remain healthy and comfortable,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said, adding
Looking at the recent and future weather patterns, Armel Castellan, the Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment Canada, said temperatures this past month didn’t reach the highs seen in May of 2023, though the relatively cool temperatures aren’t expected to last.
“We will stay in cooler temperatures for the next six or so days (the first week of June), before we go into a heat event next weekend or late next week, and likely remain in warmer probabilities for the rest of the month,” Castellan said during the announcement .
“So that will be something to keep track of, maybe early next week we will see how strong this heat event will be and whether or not it will constitute a special weather statement for early heat, or perhaps even reach the heat warning criteria, and we’ll be issuing those at Environment Climate Change Canada throughout the early part of the week.”
Castellan added though there has been precipitation recently, the drier-than-normal conditions through most of the province caused by last year’s drought persist.
Looking ahead to the first week of June, Castellan said there is a chance of precipitation along the coast, but noted it was not likely to reach the Interior.
The meteorologist added the long-range forecast for June through August shows a likely warmer-than-normal summer for the province, especially in the Interior, and advised people prepare for heat events in their communities.