WATCH: If you like the heat, you’re in luck! This weekend is going to be a hot one. In fact we’re in for a stretch of warm weather. But it doesn’t come without risk. Nadia Stewart has some important reminders about how to stay safe when the temperature rises.
A prolonged period of hot weather is expected to start tomorrow and continue through early next week for much of coastal British Columbia.
Environment Canada says Saturday and Sunday will be the hottest days of this spell. A few temperature records might also be broken, triggering a heat warning for the Lower Mainland.
Today and tomorrow, however, onshore sea-breezes will cap temperatures in the mid-twenties near the ocean. Slightly inland, temperatures will hover near 30 degrees.
“A strengthening ridge of high pressure will replace the instability, which has lingered across Southern BC since late May,” says Global BC weather anchor Kate Gajdosik. “Along with clearing skies and plenty of sunshine, temperatures are on target to soar well above seasonal.”
Gajdosik says the real heat will be felt in the Southern Interior with temperatures rising to upwards of 35 degrees this weekend.
Meanwhile, Environment Canada is reminding people to watch for symptoms of heat stroke, which include dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst and decreased urination.
People who experience any of these symptoms are being told to immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids.
North Vancouver RCMP is also reminding the public to not leave pets in vehicles. In the past several weeks, police say there have been a number of calls for police help where dogs have been found in vehicles and appeared to be in distress
Hot, dry weather can lead to a higher fire risk.
Wildfire information officer Ryan Turcot tells Global News they are monitoring the situation closely, but says they are not overly concerned.
Currently, three wildfires in northeastern B.C. are of note. The Little Bobtail Lake Fire that kept fire crews busy for a number of days is now 100 per cent contained, but will keep smoldering for the remainder of the summer. The fire near Klua Lakes is currently burning across 1,967 hectares and is 70 per cent contained. The Theelaandoa Creek Fire is burning about a hundred kilometers northeast of Fort Nelson. It spans across 950 hectares and is listed as active.
Open fire bans are now in effect in Mission and Surrey.
Turcot says on the provincial level, five of six fire centers in B.C. have open fire prohibitions right now that don’t include campfires.
WATCH: Wildfire information officer Ryan Turcot talks about the hot weather coming up this weekend and what it means for wildfire risk level in British Columbia
Meanwhile, with dry, hot weather expected throughout the summer, the Vancouver Park Board is taking a precautionary step of putting water bags around trees.
The water bags surround the base of a tree’s trunk and slowly release water.
The board announced Thursday about 500 newly planted trees will receive the bags. Extreme hot weather is especially damaging to newly planted trees that are still establishing their root systems.
Residents with access to a water hose are encouraged to fill these bags with water throughout the summer.
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