BCEHS responds to more than 200 heat-related calls during heatwave

British Columbia Emergency Health Services responded to over 200 heat-related incidents last week during the latest heatwave.

In a statement to CityNews, BCEHS says it responded to 210 calls from patients needing help across the province from July 25 to August 1.

The calls came as Vancouver recorded six days in a row of temperatures over 27 C degrees, an all-time record for those days according to weather historian and forecaster Rolf Campbell.

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July 31 was also Vancouver’s “moistest” day in more than 60 years, with a mean humidity of 85 per cent.

During 2021’s heat dome event, Vancouver sweltered through four days of a humidex recording a temperature over 35 C degrees. However, last week only saw two days hit that uncomfortable mark.

More than 600 people died during last year’s heat dome, which triggered a provincial review into extreme heat and mortality.

Streak over. After 2 consecutive days with maximum temperature ≥28°C in #Vancouver, the maximum temperature was only 27.8°C yesterday. We made it to 9th place, only 2 days behind the record. #BCWx #YvrWx pic.twitter.com/JifIR63Gqw

— Vancouver Weather Records (@YVR__Weather) August 1, 2022

According to Campbell, Vancouver also set an all-time dew point record last week, recording over 171 hours over 18 C degrees. Last year saw about half of that, with 87 hours over 18 C degrees.

Climate change is fueling longer heat waves in B.C. and its surrounds, a region where weeklong heat spells had been rare, according to climate experts.

CityNews has reached out to the BC Coroners Service for comment.