Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
ADVT 
National

Western Canada sweats in renewed heat wave, rivergoers told to avoid cheap floaties

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Jul, 2024 04:01 PM
  • Western Canada sweats in renewed heat wave, rivergoers told to avoid cheap floaties

As Western Canadians sweat under a renewed heat wave, Calgary emergency crews say they continue to bail out rivergoers who are trying to beat the heat by navigating swift currents on dime-store pink flamingo floaties.

"We are regularly responding to emergencies on the river, and the most common reason we're called is people are purchasing plastic floaties, rafts, flamingos that are not meant for swift water," Carol Henke with the Calgary Fire Department said Wednesday.

"Those are meant for pool scenario. Those crafts can rip and puncture very easily."

Henke said most of the 50 calls the department has responded to so far this month have been to rescue people stranded on the Bow River, because they didn’t have the appropriate gear to float.

Henke said crews will increase their presence along the river to educate people on the types of tubes and rafts that float safely on the water.

The number of people expecting to seek relief on rivers, lakes and pools in the West is expected to rise in the coming days, as temperatures are forecast to spike and linger in the 30 C range.

Heat warnings remained in place Wednesday for most of Alberta, western and northern Saskatchewan and parts of the Northwest Territories and British Columbia.

Meteorologist Terri Lang said temperatures over the next six days were expected to be hottest in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where some communities could reach daytime highs of 35 C and overnight lows between 12 C and 20 C.

"For this heat event, it’s not so much the intensity as opposed to the duration people should be aware of,” said Lang with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“We’re not getting those 40 C egg-fryers. It’s more about (the temperature spike) ... for a while.”

Lang added the weather can be tough for people who don’t have air conditioning, including the elderly, those with health conditions, first responders and the homeless.

“There’s a lot more that go into heat warnings than just, 'Let’s get out to the lake and get on the boat,'” Lang said.

Temperatures may start to cool down by the middle of next week, she said.

“It’s not looking like anything (changes) any time soon."

In Calgary and surrounding communities, the heat wave came as residents remained under a ban from watering lawns and cleaning driveways and windows. Residents can use watering cans for plants and trees.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek told a news conference Wednesday that testing on the city's new water main feeder is going well and the outdoor watering ban may be lifted Thursday.

In the meantime, she said, Calgarians need to take care to beat the heat.

“I’m asking we all check in on neighbours and family who might need a hand with watering their garden or finding a cool spot for the day,” said Gondek.

The city has listed online a number of cooling locations in libraries and recreation centres, where residents can refill water bottles, use water fountains or just get a break from the sun.

In Edmonton, emergency crews have also been busy responding to heat-related calls.

Alberta Health Services said there were 46 such calls in the city between July 3 and Monday. The majority of people fell ill from too much sun while working or participating in sports outside.

Boyle Street Community Services said those living on the streets can be hardest hit by heat, and the agency would appreciate water donations.

"Whenever we get a heat wave, we check on people frequently and make sure that people that we can find are doing OK in the heat," said Marliss Taylor, a spokeswoman for the agency.

A fire ban was also still in place in large parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan due to the hot, dry conditions.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Road closed in Surrey after passenger dies

Road closed in Surrey after passenger dies
RCMP in Surrey say their investigation into a deadly overnight crash has found the victim was not a pedestrian. The Mounties say one person was killed and another taken to hospital with serious injuries after the crash, which led to ongoing road closures in the area.    

Road closed in Surrey after passenger dies

1 in hospital in Delta shooting

1 in hospital in Delta shooting
Delta police are investigating after a targeted shooting sent one person to hospital. Police say the shooting happened at around 5:45 p-m yesterday at 82nd Avenue between 110th and 112th streets.

1 in hospital in Delta shooting

British Columbia sets tougher penalties for trucks that hit overpasses

British Columbia sets tougher penalties for trucks that hit overpasses
The British Columbia government is stepping up penalties for truckers who crash into highway overpasses after a rash of such incidents in recent years. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the province will implement escalating penalties for companies and drivers with repeat offences, adding longer suspensions and the possible loss of their operating certificate. 

British Columbia sets tougher penalties for trucks that hit overpasses

Bird Flu at 52 BC commerical flocks

Bird Flu at 52 BC commerical flocks
More than 50 poultry farms in British Columbia have been infected with avian flu since October, but animal health officials say that rate is slowing as the fall migration of wild birds ends.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday 47 commercial farms and five small-flocks have been infected with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus this fall. 

Bird Flu at 52 BC commerical flocks

Death toll among B.C.'s homeless rising, hits 342 people last year: Coroner's report

Death toll among B.C.'s homeless rising, hits 342 people last year: Coroner's report
British Columbia's Coroners Service says there's been a sharp increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness. A statement from the coroners service says the deaths of 342 people experiencing homelessness were reported last year, an increase of almost 140 over the past two years.   

Death toll among B.C.'s homeless rising, hits 342 people last year: Coroner's report

Man steals Salvation Army donation kettle

Man steals Salvation Army donation kettle
Coquitlam R-C-M-P say they are looking for a man who stole a Salvation Army donation kettle from a local mall. Police say the theft happened on December 3rd at Coquitlam Centre Mall's southeast entrance facing Pinetree Way.

Man steals Salvation Army donation kettle