Heat warning issued for Peace region, Fort Nelson area

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Residents are being urged to keep their homes cool and to stay hydrated as temperatures rise in northeastern B.C.

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the Peace region and the Fort Nelson area, saying a “building ridge of high pressure” is set to raise temperatures from Wednesday, July 30th until Friday, August 1st.

Daytime temperatures are expected to hover between 29 C and 32 C, with night-time lows of roughly 14 C. 

According to the agency, heat can disproportionately affect the health of seniors, people living alone, those with pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, people with mental illnesses like schizophrenia, people dealing with substance abuse and individuals with limited mobility.

“Check on family, friends and neighbours, who are at higher risk, particularly if they live alone, to make sure they have a cool space,” the warning reads. “Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.”

Residents are also encouraged to keep their homes cool using air conditioning, if possible, and to block heat and sunlight with curtains and blinds.

If their homes become uncomfortably hot, they’re urged to visit public cooling centres. Energeticcity.ca will update this story as information about cooling centres in the Peace region and Fort Nelson area becomes available.