Heat warning triggers City’s extreme temperature protocol

By Lethbridge Herald on June 29, 2023.

One-year-old Briggs Matheson cools off with his dad Spencer while visiting the Rotary Centennial Fountain along with his mom Alysha and grandpa Bob Duncan Thursday at Galt Gardens. Herald photo by Ian Martens

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The City of Lethbridge is asking residents to be aware of a heat warning issued for Lethbridge by Environment and Climate Change Canada and to take precautions during the hot weather. 

As of Thursday the City activated its Extreme Temperature Response Protocol, as temperatures reached a high of 32°C and are forecast to reach that high again today and Saturday, before moderating on Sunday. 

Emergency Planning and Risk supervisor with the City, Luke Palmer spoke to reporters on Thursday and said the warning is issued when high temperatures are expected for more than two days and night time temperatures do not drop below 16 degrees.   

“We’ve jumped right to the Level 2 warning and that coincides with our activation plan, and that means a heat warning is here if we saw a level one it means that we would see something in the coming days, which obviously we’ve jumped that and level three would be implemented again by environment climate change Canada if we had an extended heat warning so that prolonged length maybe up to a week.” 

Palmer said the City wanted to make sure residents are aware of the current state of the heat warning, so they can take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. 

“In our Level 2 it means we’re actually taking action, things are activated, it’s not pre-planning at this point. We do have comfort centres that will be available through the city,” said Palmer. 

He said for those members of the community who are at higher risk of heat-related illness due to lack of access to proper shelter, there is a list of local organizations that are available to help during an extreme weather declaration. 

“These are facilities that operate during normal operating hours, for people to get out of the elements, the mall could be one, we’ve got our park and ride location, the library is another option available, in addition to that we’ll be promoting information for everybody to be aware of the risks,” said Palmer.

The Lethbridge Stabilization Centre and Shelter, Wood’s Homes Youth Connections, YWCA Harbour House, Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society, Streets Alive Mission, Lethbridge Soup Kitchen and SAGE Clan are other organizations that are available to help.

Palmer said one thing he wants residents to know is that they should avoid being outdoors during high heat peak hours, between 10 a.m. and noon. 

“It’s also really important to understand that your indoor temperature will peak far later than the outdoor temperature, so keeping your windows closed from about 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. opening them up later on, using blinds, awnings, anything that you can to keep the heat out of your house,” said Palmer. 

He said that if people are able, they should avoid cooking indoors to avoid increasing the indoor temperature while cooking. 

“If you can, cook outside, if you have a barbecue try to reduce temperatures inside your house by not cooking that way. That’s our biggest thing right now, is making sure that people know the small steps they can take to keep themselves safe, but also comfortable at the same time,” said Palmer. 

He said with the heat warning being in effect while Canada Day celebrations will be taking place over the weekend, the City has taken precautions to make sure first aid stations and water filling stations are available throughout Henderson Lake Park.

“We are encouraging people to make sure that you bring your own food and water, just to ensure that you do have enough as vendors could be quickly tapped out at the same time, so it’s important to make sure that you’ve got the onus on yourself when you’re going out there but at the same time have fun, but make sure you’re doing it safely,” said Palmer. 

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