The B.C. Government is warning people about an upcoming heat wave that will raise temperatures into the high 30s across much of the province.
Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the heat wave is expected to hit Vancouver Island and Southwest B.C. on Sunday, before the system moves into the Southern Interior next week.
“In some regions, these temperatures may trigger heat warnings,” Ma said. “While these elevated temperatures may pose risks, I don’t want to assure everyone that this upcoming heat event is not expected to be as extreme as the event we faced in June and July of 2021.”
The heat dome of 2021 – where temperatures surpassed 40 C in parts of B.C., and nearly 50 C in Lytton – killed 619 people across the province, including 17 in Kamloops.
Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 37 C in Kamloops on Tuesday next week and a high of 38 on Wednesday. A normal high for this time of year in Kamloops is around 29 C, according to Environment Canada.
“Consider keeping a digital thermometer to accurately measure indoor temperatures,” Ma added. “Indoor temperatures measuring 31 C or higher can be dangerous, especially for people who are more vulnerable to heat.”
“As part of your preparations, it’s important to identify locations outside of your home where you can cool down should temps indoors become unsafe.”
In June last year, the BC Government said it would use the Alert Ready system to notify people about extreme heat emergencies like the heat dome of 2021.
The City of Kamloops has also laid out how it intends to deal with extreme heat emergencies. It plans to open indoor and outdoor community cooling centers using the 35-18-35 forecast – a daytime high of at least 35 C followed by a night time low of at least 18 C, for two days in a row.
“It is critical that people understand the risk, prepare for the conditions and know where to access support,” Ma added.
“We are following the BC heat alert and response plan, and that means that governments, health authorities, hospitals, and community care sites are taking action to prepare for the potential to keep people safe.”
As for drought, of B.C.’s 34 water basins, 28 are currently reporting drought levels of 4 or 5 – the second-highest and highest levels on the six-level scale. Both the North and South Thompson Rivers are at Drought Level 5, with enhanced water restrictions set to take effect in Kamloops on Monday, August 14.
Elsewhere, the Noble Creek Irrigation System has run dry, leaving its users to find other sources of water for the rest of this growing season.
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, who is set to join NL Mornings on Friday, has reached out to Bowinn Ma looking for ways to try and extend the life of the irrigation system beyond this year.
First reported by Kamloops This Week, Hamer-Jackson has asked to see how long the emergency rip rap installed earlier this year could remain in place.
“The possibility of extending the use of rip rap around the Noble Creek Irrigation System is being reviewed by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the Ministry of Forests and the City of Kamloops,” Emergency Management ministry spokesperson, Aimee Harper, told Radio NL.
“The City of Kamloops has jurisdiction over the system, and the Province is working with the City on this matter.”
Ma also said Thursday the drought situation in B.C. has reached the point where the government has plans to transport water to communities in need, if required.
“We are largely building the ship as we are sailing it,” she said.
