B.C. looking at long-term heatwave responses as high temperatures return

Posted July 30, 2021 6:50 am.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With another heatwave upon the Lower Mainland and much of B.C., the focus is once again on our most vulnerable, and how we can help them through these high temperatures.

B.C.’s top doctor says there is a lot that can be learned from last month’s experience, as many parts of the province dealt with record temperatures.

“The heat dome that we experienced earlier this summer was really an intensity that we have never, ever experienced in this province,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday.

“We are looking at how we can learn as much as possible, recognizing that with climate change, we are going to have more extreme heat events in the future, and this weekend is no different, though we don’t expect it to be nearly as intense as what we experienced in July.”

Henry says the public health office is working closely with the BC Centre for Disease Control and other experts on heat and the impacts of heat on the population.

She explains they’ve been looking at the effects of climate change and extreme heat for some time, particularly in urban areas.

“Intensity of heat can build up in what we call urban heat islands, so areas where there’s a lot of the built environments — concrete and asphalt roads, for example, that can absorb the heat and keep the temperatures high at night,” she said.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry now addressing this week’s heat wave and what to do if you are at risk.

She says you can call 8-1-1 for information re: how to cool down if you do not have air conditioning. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) July 29, 2021

Hundreds of sudden deaths were reported in the week of June when we experienced record temperatures, and many of those deaths are said to have been heat-related.

Henry says work is underway to map out exactly where those deaths occurred, and whether anything could have been done to prevent heat-related illness.

“And yes, some of it is related to buildings, some of it is related to the built environment and being able to increase greenspace. So, air conditioning is part of it,” she told reporters, admitting there are very few buildings across B.C. that are equipped with A/C.

Re: making sure people have access to air conditioning where needed in wake of deadly #BC heatwave, Dr. Henry says most buildings in this province do NOT have AC, so she echoes concerns raised by Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe Wednesday.#bcpoli @NEWS1130 #heatwavebc

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) July 29, 2021

“Those are all things that we are going to be looking at.”

However, she notes many of these steps are related to long-term solutions. In the short-term, with temperatures into the 30s expected throughout the weekend, she says there are a few key things we can do.

The main thing is connecting with others.

“We know in discussions with the coroner’s office that a lot of the people who were affected by our latest heatwave were people who lived alone and didn’t necessarily recognize the impact that heat was having on them,” she explained.

There are also a few things you can do to stay cool — even if you don’t have A/C. They include wearing a damp shirt, having a damp sheet at night, finding the coolest place in your apartment, or reaching out to friends and family who may have a cooler place for you to stay for the weekend to get away from the higher temperatures.

However, she stresses the importance of checking in with the most vulnerable.

“This is really important for the coming weeks: check on particularly elderly people, people who are bed-ridden or have mobility issues, so we can help get through this summer as well.”

Earlier this week, B.C’s chief coroner said central air should be just as essential as central heat in every home.

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