Edmonton activates extreme weather response, seven city sites will be open to help residents beat the heat
Dustin Cook , Allison Pelech
Edmonton Journal
© Provided by Edmonton Journal A strawberry full moon rises behind downtown Edmonton, on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Seven City of Edmonton facilities will be open to vulnerable residents needing a place to stay cool and beat the prolonged heatwave on the horizon.
The city enacted its extreme weather response Friday morning, the first time its been activated for hot weather, in an effort to support Edmontonians in need of a cool place to go. Kinsmen, Commonwealth, Clareview, Terwillegar, The Meadows and Mill Woods recreation centres will be open to public access as well as The Orange Hub during their normal operating hours. Capacity limits of one-third capacity are still in effect until at least July 1 under provincial health regulations. Bottled water will also be handed out at these locations.
Heat in the 30 C range next week will envelope most of northern Alberta, possibly climbing to 40 C in some areas north of Edmonton, Environment Canada warns.
For the next week, areas surrounding St. Paul, Lac La Biche, Bonnyville and Smoky Lake will experience a prolonged, dangerous and potentially historic heat wave, warns the weather alert issued Friday.
Temperatures are to strike 30 C in most of northern Alberta Friday, climbing to the mid-30 C range by Sunday. Forecasters warn 40 C temperatures could be recorded early next week. And there will not be much relief at night, with the mercury only dipping between 15 C and 20 C.
Seven other city sites will be offering bottled water although they don’t have indoor space to accommodate people inside. These include the city’s three currently open outdoor pools of Fred Broadstock, Queen Elizabeth and Oliver, although they are mostly booked up throughout the next week for public and lane swimming.
The Bonnie Doon Leisure Centre, Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton Valley Zoo and Jasper Place Leisure Centre, when it opens on June 26, will also be offering water. All of the city’s 72 spray parks are up and running and the fountain out front of City Hall is also turned on.
Peace officers will be carrying bottles of water on their patrols to distribute to vulnerable people in need.
The city is also working to create more free water options throughout the summer including the launch of a pilot project in late July to adapt five fire hydrants into water stations to provide access to free water, with locations still being determined. Activation of river valley park fountains has also started.
The extreme weather protocol is expected to remain active until at least July 5 based on the current forecast.
Environment Canada is reminding the public to be aware of the dangers of such a prolonged wave of heat, encouraging people to reschedule outdoor activities to cooler hours very early or very late in the day. Those who have to be in the heat should take breaks from it where possible, spending time in cooled indoor spaces and drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated beverages. And always check that no children or pets are left behind in vehicles.
Watch for signs of heat stroke in yourself and others, including a high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting and unconsciousness. Pay particular attention to children, seniors, outdoor workers and those with health conditions who may experience earlier or more severe effects. Those who are socially isolated are also highly vulnerable to heat stroke as they remain indoors so if and when you can, check on neighbours, family and friends in such states.
For more heat health advice, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/heat.aspx.
Seven City of Edmonton facilities will be open to vulnerable residents needing a place to stay cool and beat the prolonged heatwave on the horizon.
The city enacted its extreme weather response Friday morning, the first time its been activated for hot weather, in an effort to support Edmontonians in need of a cool place to go. Kinsmen, Commonwealth, Clareview, Terwillegar, The Meadows and Mill Woods recreation centres will be open to public access as well as The Orange Hub during their normal operating hours. Capacity limits of one-third capacity are still in effect until at least July 1 under provincial health regulations. Bottled water will also be handed out at these locations.
Heat in the 30 C range next week will envelope most of northern Alberta, possibly climbing to 40 C in some areas north of Edmonton, Environment Canada warns.
For the next week, areas surrounding St. Paul, Lac La Biche, Bonnyville and Smoky Lake will experience a prolonged, dangerous and potentially historic heat wave, warns the weather alert issued Friday.
Temperatures are to strike 30 C in most of northern Alberta Friday, climbing to the mid-30 C range by Sunday. Forecasters warn 40 C temperatures could be recorded early next week. And there will not be much relief at night, with the mercury only dipping between 15 C and 20 C.
Seven other city sites will be offering bottled water although they don’t have indoor space to accommodate people inside. These include the city’s three currently open outdoor pools of Fred Broadstock, Queen Elizabeth and Oliver, although they are mostly booked up throughout the next week for public and lane swimming.
The Bonnie Doon Leisure Centre, Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton Valley Zoo and Jasper Place Leisure Centre, when it opens on June 26, will also be offering water. All of the city’s 72 spray parks are up and running and the fountain out front of City Hall is also turned on.
Peace officers will be carrying bottles of water on their patrols to distribute to vulnerable people in need.
The city is also working to create more free water options throughout the summer including the launch of a pilot project in late July to adapt five fire hydrants into water stations to provide access to free water, with locations still being determined. Activation of river valley park fountains has also started.
The extreme weather protocol is expected to remain active until at least July 5 based on the current forecast.
Environment Canada is reminding the public to be aware of the dangers of such a prolonged wave of heat, encouraging people to reschedule outdoor activities to cooler hours very early or very late in the day. Those who have to be in the heat should take breaks from it where possible, spending time in cooled indoor spaces and drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic or non-caffeinated beverages. And always check that no children or pets are left behind in vehicles.
Watch for signs of heat stroke in yourself and others, including a high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting and unconsciousness. Pay particular attention to children, seniors, outdoor workers and those with health conditions who may experience earlier or more severe effects. Those who are socially isolated are also highly vulnerable to heat stroke as they remain indoors so if and when you can, check on neighbours, family and friends in such states.
For more heat health advice, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/heat.aspx.
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