21.99°C Vancouver

Jun 7, 2022 12:48 AM - The Canadian Press

B.C. launches heat alert and response system to help people, communities stay safe

Share On
b-c-launches-heat-alert-and-response-system-to-help-people-communities-stay-safe
British Columbia is introducing a two-tiered heat alert and response system to help people and communities stay safe this summer when temperatures rise. (Photo - B.C. Govt.)

British Columbia is introducing a two-tiered heat alert and response system to help people and communities stay safe this summer when temperatures rise.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says during periods of extreme heat emergencies, the government is prepared to issue alerts through the national Alert Ready system, which is already used to issue Amber Alerts and tsunami, wildfire and flood warnings.

Temperatures surpassed 40 C for days in last summer's so-called heat dome in B.C., resulting in almost 600 heat-related deaths, most of them elderly and vulnerable people living in buildings without air conditioning.

Farnworth says the B.C. Heat Alert and Response System will include two categories that include heat warnings and extreme heat emergencies.

He says the province and local and First Nations authorities will advise and warn the public during periods of rising temperatures and will issue heat alerts during such emergencies.

Farnworth says the province has developed an Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide that helps people prepare their homes and gives advice on staying safe when temperatures rise.

Latest news

our-trade-talks-with-washington-will-continue-in-the-coming-weeks-dominic-leblanc
CanadaAug 01, 2025

Our trade talks with Washington will continue in the coming weeks: Dominic LeBlanc

Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-US trade, says that our trade talks with Washington will continue in the coming weeks, his comments come after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent. LeBlanc, who was in Washington during the time, said that no development is expected in the near future. Prime Minister Mark Carney's minister said that he will speak to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick next week and that the two will meet face-to-face in late August to discuss the issue. LeBlanc said that Canada's ambassador to the US, Christine
charges-laid-in-august-2024-homicide-of-dillan-unger-in-langley
BCAug 01, 2025

Charges laid in August 2024 homicide of Dillan Unger in Langley

Charges have been laid following an investigation into an August 2024 homicide in Langley, British Columbia. On August 2, 2024, at 12:46 a.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report of gun shots in the 7000-block of 202B Street in Langley. Two men suffering from gun shot wounds were subsequently located at the hospital. One of the men succumbed to his injuries and the second was released from hospital. To further the investigation, IHIT identified the victim as 41-year-old Dillan Unger of Langley. Throughout the course of this investigation, IHIT has worked in close partnership with the Langley
tragic-incident-near-comox-lake
BCAug 01, 2025

Falling tree kills mother, 26, and five-month-old baby at B.C. campground

A mother and her five-month-old baby have been killed by a tree that fell in a Vancouver Island campground. Police say emergency responders were called to the scene in Cumberland, B.C., on Thursday afternoon.RCMP say that the 26-year-old mother died at the scene and the infant was taken to hospital but did not survive.They say there is no criminality suspected in the initial investigation, and no further details on the case will be released.BC Emergency Health Services says they received a call for ambulances to attend in the 1100 block of Comox Lake Road, the address for Cumberland Lake Park
trump-orders-us-nuclear-subs-repositioned-over-statements-from-ex-russian-leader-medvedev
WorldAug 01, 2025

Trump orders US nuclear subs repositioned over statements from ex-Russian leader Medvedev

President Donald Trump says he's ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. This decision comes after what he calls ``highly provocative statements'' by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump posted on his social media site that he's taking action in case Medvedev's words are more than just rhetoric. He emphasizes the importance of words and hopes for no unintended consequences. The impact on U.S. nuclear subs,which routinely patrol global hotspots, remains unclear. This move escalates tensions between Washington and Moscow at a delicate time. Trump also mentions sen
b-c-park-reopens-while-search-continues-for-man-missing-in-coquihalla-river
BCAug 01, 2025

B.C. park reopens, while search continues for man missing in Coquihalla River

Police say the Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park in Hope, B.C., has reopened, while a search to find a missing man who fell into the river last weekend continues. RCMP closed off the area in the park as a police underwater recovery team went into the Coquihalla River on Wednesday to try to find the 19-year-old man but was unsuccessful. There was also no sign of the man using a drone to search along the river on Thursday. RCMP say they will resume the search on Saturday, and parts of the park may be restricted to public access due to those efforts. Hope RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike S

Related News