What is the Difference Between a Heat Warning vs. Extreme Heat Emergency?

As you have likely noticed, we are starting to feel summer temperatures. Environment and Climate Change Canada has advised us that Heat Warnings are possible for Vancouver Island next week. When Heat Warnings are in place, there is the risk of heat related illness, thus preparedness is important. Having a plan for staying cool and hydrated ahead of time is encouraged.

What to do during a Heat Warning?

• Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated.
• Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
• Seek cooler indoor and outdoor spaces.
• If you have air conditioning, be sure to turn it on. It does not need to be on as high as it can go to help keep you safe.
• Take a cool shower or put part of your body into a tepid bath.
• Wear a wet shirt or apply damp towels to your skin to cool down.
• It is important to remember that overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, headache, muscle cramps, feeling unwell, extreme thirst, and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest, and use water to cool your body. Wear a wet shirt or apply damp towels to your skin to cool down.
• Signs of heat stroke include a high body temperature, confusion, dizziness/fainting, and flushed skin. Heat stroke is a medical emergency; call 911. While waiting for help, cool the person right away by moving them to a cool place, if you can, and applying cold water to large areas of the skin.
• Keep a close eye on infants and children.
• Check in on susceptible individuals, such as people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease as well as people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety
• Consider plans for moving susceptible individuals from hot indoor environments into cooler environments.
• If you do not have effective air conditioning, keep your home cooler by shading the windows from the outside using awnings or shutters or from the inside using curtains or blinds (wherever possible).

What is the difference between a Heat Warning and an Extreme Heat Emergency?

Heat Warning

For Vancouver Island, Heat Warnings are issued when 2 or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 29°C or warmer and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to fall to 16°C or warmer.

Extreme Heat Emergency

The Extreme Heat Emergency criteria are met when the forecast, or observed temperatures, in each region surpass the Heat Warning criteria, and there is high certainty that temperatures would substantively increase day over day for three or more consecutive days.

Community protective actions, such as Cooling Centres, are activated under Extreme Heat Emergencies. The most immediate way to be informed of emergency events to is sign up for our Alertable mass notification system as well as downloading the free Alertable app to your cellphone. To learn more please visit www.srd.ca/alerts-notifications.

Media Contact – Shaun Koopman, SRD Protective Services Coordinator – 250-830-6702  |  skkopman@srd.ca