How Heat Alerts Work in British Columbia
Extreme heat can be dangerous to your health. That's why British Columbia has a coordinated heat alert system that helps communities prepare for and respond to hot weather.
The BC Provincial Heat Alert and Response System is a province-wide program that helps protect people during periods of unusually hot weather. It provides heat warnings to the public and helps governments, health authorities, and community organizations coordinate their response.
Heat response is a shared responsibility involving several organizations.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada monitors weather conditions and issues official heat warnings when forecast temperatures meet provincial criteria. - BC Centre for Disease Control and Health Authorities
The BC Centre for Disease Control, the Ministry of Health, and regional health authorities assess health risks and help coordinate public health actions during heat events. They provide guidance, public information, and recommendations to reduce heat-related illness. - Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness supports communities during significant heat events and coordinates provincial emergency management activities when needed. During the most severe heat events, the Province may activate emergency coordination structures and issue additional public alerts.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
Effective June 2026, British Columbia uses a three-level heat warning system that aligns with Canada's colour-coded weather alerts. Temperature threshold guidelines vary across the province based on forecast regions (zones). Kamloops is located in Zone 4, which has the highest heat temperature ranges.
Unusually high temperature thresholds are met in Zone 4 (our zone) when the temperature reaches 35-37°C in the day, dropping no lower than 16-17°C at night.
Yellow Heat Warning Orange Heat Warning Red Heat Warning Temperatures are expected to be unusually high for at least two consecutive days. Temperatures are expected to be unusually high for at least three consecutive days. Temperatures are expected to be unusually high for more than three consecutive days. At this level, heat can affect some people, especially older adults, young children, people with chronic health conditions, and those without access to air conditioning. At this level, the risk of heat-related illness increases significantly. At this level, everyone is at risk, especially people who are heat susceptible.
Additional emergency coordination measures may be activated by provincial and local authorities.
City Activation Protocol
The City supports local heat response efforts and works with community partners to help residents stay safe during periods of extreme heat. The City will activate a heat alert response protocol when a heat warning is issued, regardless of the warning level. This will include communicating about indoor and outdoor cooling and heat-relief spaces, promoting neighbour health checks, and sharing the BC Provincial Heat Alert and Response System messaging before, during, and after activations through City communication channels.
During a heat activation, the City will offer free senior drop-in at Heritage House during its regularly scheduled Thursday program and free public skating at City arenas. Free public swimming at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and Westsyde Pool will be available, but will require a Heat Response Pass which can be requested through a participating social agency.
Any resident who does not have a safe place to cool down, can connect with one of the following locations, to request a Heat response swim pass:
- BGC Kamloops, 150 Wood Street, 250-554-5437
- Centre for Seniors Information, #25 700 Tranquille Road, 250-554-4145
- Interior Community Services, 408 Seymour Street, 250-374-7435
- Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, 125 Palm Street, 250-376-1296
- Kamloops Food Bank, 171 Wilson Street, 250-376-2252
- Kamloops Immigrant Services, 448 Tranquille Road, 778-470-6101
- Mount Paul Community Food Centre, 140 Laburnum Street, 236-421-1011
- The Mustard Seed: 181 Victoria St. W. 1-833-448-4673
- The Salvation Army: 344 Poplar St. 250-554-1611
Beginning in 2026, the Downtown Y will also be offering free public swims during Heat Alerts. No passes are required. For their public swim schedule, see the Downtown Y website.
Seniors seeking relief from the heat, during and outside of a heat event, can find a cool and comfortable environment at the Kamloops Seniors Community Centre. Located at 730 Cottonwood Avenue, the centre is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information and to view the activity schedule, visit CSIKamloops.ca.
The City will provide the following heat relief options in outdoor locations during heat alert response activations which will include access to waterparks, drinking fountains with potable water, and washrooms with potable water at various park locations throughout the city.
Water Park locations*
Open daily 10:00 am–9:00 pm. *Subject to operation.
- Albert McGowan Park
- McDonald Park
- Prince Charles Park wading pool (Pool closes daily at 8:00 pm)
- Riverside Park
- Westsyde Centennial Park
Misting Stations
Three new misting stations are available with more to be installed at a future date. Find misting stations at these locations:
- North Shore Transit Exchange
- McArthur Island Park
- Skate Park
- Soccer Field 5/6
Parks with drinking fountains with potable water
- Aberdeen Hills Park
- Cowan Park
- Juniper Park
- McArthur Island Park
- Overlander Park
- Pioneer Park
- Prince Charles Park
- Riverside Park
- Schubert Park Lookout
- Tournament Capital Ranch
Public Washrooms
- There are various public washrooms across the City that have access to potable water. View a map of all public washroom locations. Tap on the washroom icon to view specific details and availability.
Residents will be encouraged to check in on their neighbours who may have heat sensitivity or vulnerability. City staff will work with the city’s neighbourhood associations to share the key messaging and promote this initiative through their networks and social media channels.
Prolonged periods of extreme heat can lead to severe illness and death. Heat can affect anyone, but some individuals are more susceptible than others, especially if they do not have access to air conditioning.
Individuals at Risk
- seniors aged 65 years or older
- infants and young children
- people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease
- people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety
- people who are pregnant
- people with limited mobility
- people who live alone
- people who are marginally housed
- people who work in hot environments
- people with substance use disorders
Learn How You Can Help by Reviewing the Following:
Seniors needing transportation support to access a place to cool down can contact Memories in Motion – 250-376-7878 ext-1
Public transit is also available in all areas of the city. For more information on the Kamloops transit system, including schedules and fares, visit BCTransit.com.
During heat events, the City’s Community Service Officers will coordinate outreach and response efforts for people experiencing homelessness with other street outreach programs in community. This will include handing out bottled water to people experiencing homelessness, coordinating transportation to shelters through the Envision shuttle program, looking for signs of heat distress, and taking other appropriate action as needed. As in extreme cold weather events, the shelter system also has the ability to expand and respond during extreme heat events.
In terms of air quality events due to wildfire smoke, the City will share applicable messaging from and as directed by the appropriate health authorities with targeted messaging when the Air Quality Health Index reaches specific risk categories. This may include recommendations to modify outdoor exercise or to exercise indoors; to use a portable air cleaner in homes and places of work (if possible); to visit cleaner air spaces, including shopping malls or the City’s indoor cooling sites; and/or to wear a well-fitted N95 respirator if available.
