Under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, the City of Kamloops is required to prepare and plan for local emergency events. The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and BC Public Health continue to lead the BC Heat and Alert Response System coordination efforts.

The City will activate a heat alert response protocol when Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a heat warning for Kamloops. The response includes promoting neighbour health checks; encouraging residents to utilize outdoor cooling spaces, such as water parks, new misting stations, and shade within parks with potable water; and sharing the BC Heat Alert and Response System messaging before, during, and after activations through the City’s website social media channels, and by working with neighbourhood associations and other community partners.

In addition, during an activation, free access to public swimming and skating and the City’s Seniors’ Drop-in Program at Heritage House will be available to residents who obtain a Heat Response Pass. Residents who do not have a safe place to cool down can connect with one of seven agencies working with the City to assign passes to individuals. A list of agencies is available on Kamloops.ca/Heat under Indoor Cooling Spaces.

“We encourage individuals who know that they do not have a safe space to cool down to reach out to an agency,” said Ty Helgason, the City’s Emergency Preparedness Manager. “Our participating partners are ready to help connect individuals with a pass. Taking these steps now ensures everyone who needs access to a cool space has options to stay comfortable and safe when the heat hits."

Seniors seeking relief from the heat can find a cool and comfortable environment at the Kamloops Seniors Community Centre during and outside of a heat event. Located at 730 Cottonwood Avenue, the centre is open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For more information and to view the activity schedule, visit CSIKamloops.ca.

A heat warning is issued when the daytime high temperature is forecast to be 35°C or higher and the nighttime low temperature does not go below 18°C for two or more days in a row.  

A special weather statement is normal for the first heat event when temperatures are somewhat lower than the regional heat warning threshold criteria due to the added public health risk of early summer heat. After the third heat warning of the year, Environment and Climate Change Canada may recommend extending the trigger threshold to three or more consecutive days at or above the regional temperature threshold.

“When a heat warning has been issued, our wish is that residents can work together to check in on family members, friends, and neighbours—especially those who may be more vulnerable—to ensure they are safe and supported during the challenging conditions,” added Helgason. “The City is committed to doing the best we can to share information from our partners to educate and inform our residents on how they can best prepare for potential extreme heat this summer.”

Residents are encouraged to be aware of the City’s heat response protocol and understand the actions that the City takes. The City’s website lists valuable information and connections to resources from our partners, including Interior Health, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and BC Public Health. Resources include: 

• Extreme Heat Response Checklist: identifying heat-related illness, rapid risk assessment, health check tips
• Household Preparedness Guide: preparing yourself and your home for extreme heat
• City of Kamloops heat relief options, such as schedules for swimming, skating, seniors’ programming, misters, water parks, drinking fountains, and washrooms with potable water at various park locations throughout the city

For tips on beating the heat as well as symptoms and treatment for heat-related illness, visit Kamloops.ca/Heat.