Keilo was having none of it as the midday sun scorched down on Oppenheimer Park Wednesday afternoon.
The six-year-old dog and his chaperone for the day, Tony Dixon, were taking refuge from the 26°C heat via a newly-installed misting station installed in the Downtown Eastside park, one of four set up across the city to help residents deal with the current heat wave.
Keilo drank from a nearby fountain and avoided the sun, as did dozens of people in the park who were given free water and snacks from volunteers.
“Keilo doesn’t like this weather,” Dixon said. “He prefers to be inside.”
Retreating from the heat was the central theme behind presentations Wednesday from officials spanning the city, fire department, park board, Vancouver Coastal Health and the Vancouver Public Library.
The press conference happened just hours after Environment Canada issued a heat warning for Vancouver and the south coast. Temperatures ranging around 29°C are expected to last until early next week.
The messaging from city officials was clear: stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and be mindful of the more vulnerable among us, including kids under five, seniors, outdoor workers and others who live alone.
“The important thing to remember is that heat can kill. People can die from heat even in the Lower Mainland,” said Vancouver Coastal Health medical health officer Dr. James Lou.
Symptoms of heat-related illness include fatigue, headache, dizziness, cramps, nausea, weakness or even fainting. If you happen upon someone exhibiting those signs, call 9-1-1 and apply water to the person’s neck or face. The 8-1-1 health line can also be called in those types of situations.
Those among us who prefer inside over heat can take refuge in indoor community centres equipped with air conditioning: Britannia, Carnegie, Evelyne Saller, Gathering Place, Hillcrest, Mount Pleasant, Kerrisdale, Ray-Cam, Roundhouse and West End.
Cooling centres complete with shade and free water have been set up at Britannia, Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, Mount Pleasant, Ray-Cam, Roundhouse, and West End community centres. All of the 21 Vancouver Public Library branches will also include cooling centres.
“These facilities will welcome anyone who needs escape from the heat, whether that be for a sit down or for a few hours,” said Susie Saunders, the city’s managing director of non-market housing and social operations.
Water, water and more water are the order of the day for Vancouverites who want to be outside.
The park board has extended hours at all 14 of the city’s water parks, which are now open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Outside of the misting station at Oppenheimer Park, three others have been set up at Andy Livingston, Emery Barnes and Thornton parks.
Second Beach, New Brighton, Maple Grove, and Hillcrest outdoor pools will open an hour earlier at 9 a.m., while Kits Pool will stick with its standard start time of 7 a.m. Ten water wheelchairs are also on offer for free at city pools and beaches, while beach mats and Mobi-Mats have been installed at Kits Beach and English Bay for people with walkers, scooters or wheelchairs.
Vancouver firefighters have also attached temporary water fountains to fire hydrants at eight locations across the city based on highest need:
- Commercial Drive and East Broadway
- Granville Street and West 70th Avenue
- Robson Street and Bidwell Street
- East Hastings Street and Heatley Street
- Richards Street and Dunsmuir Street
- Commercial Street and Venables Street
- Granville Street and West 10th Avenue
- Powell Street and Gore Avenue
Three more temporary fountains were to be installed before end of day Wednesday at Columbia and Keefer streets; Columbia and Hastings streets and at Thornton Park.
“If you feel like you’re getting dehydrated, you need to drink and drink and drink more water and limit your exposure,” said Vancouver firefighter Mike Heslop.
Heslop didn’t have stats indicating where heat-related call volumes are highest in the city, but he did say firefighting tactics don’t change based on season or temperature.
“We stick to our standard guidelines but obviously we are very diligent to monitor our firefighters’ health,” Heslop said. “The environment is a key concern when we fight any structural fire whether it’s winter or in the middle of the summer during a heat crisis.”
More heat tips are online here.
