UPDATE: All warnings and advisories mentioned in this story have ended.
A weather advisory has been issued by Environment Canada for all of southern and central Saskatchewan, including Regina and Saskatoon, warning of extreme heat for a prolonged period of time.
“It can be very hard on the human body,” said Bill Weeks, assistant deputy chief of operations at Medavie Health Services West.
“It’s always important to make sure that you don’t stay in the sun for too long, make sure you’re wearing a hat and lots of fluids and by fluids I mean water.”
For some who work outdoors, escaping the heat isn’t always an option.
Caroline Hasse is at the mercy of mother nature for eight to 10 hours a day in the scorching heat, six days a week on landscaping duty for Lynch Property Services Inc.
“We take lots of water breaks and because we work with hoses, I sometimes just water myself down or you sit in your car and turn the AC.”
Hasse admits that in the past while working for a concrete company that she experienced heat exhaustion – which is the real risk this week.
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These boiling hot conditions brought on by an upper-level ridge have prompted Saskatchewan Health Authority officials to issue health warnings.
Highs of 30 degrees or greater are expected to stick around for up to five days with overnight lows in the mid to upper teens.
Heat warnings may be issued as the extreme weather draws closer.
“Heat exhaustion starts with heat rash, fainting, loss of consciousness for more than a few seconds and it means the brain is not working, it is not able to adjust the body temperature,” said Dr. Simon Kapaj, deputy medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Heatstroke is even worse and can be fatal. According to Weeks, young children and the elderly can be at greater risk for heat-related illness but when it comes to a heatwave everyone is susceptible of falling ill.
“My personal guideline when it get this hot is I’m drinking about half to a litre an hour and I know my body needs it,” Weeks explained.
“If you find yourself not going to the bathroom as much you normally are – you need more water.”
Emergency rooms in the region are also said to be at the ready for anyone suffering from excessive heat exposure.
The Regina Humane Society is also urging pet owners to never leave their dogs unattended in this heat in a car and to watch for signs of overheating which includes heavy breathing, more drooling than normal and acting lethargic.
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