Heat wave

Burned trees are seen in the aftermath of the July 2021 White Rock Lake wildfire, in this aerial view southeast of Kamloops, British Columbia, on Thursday, August 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. scientists see recovery but fear more heat domes could change ecosystems forever

Cold-water marine species could be replaced by warm-water organisms, triggering cascading effects

Burned trees are seen in the aftermath of the July 2021 White Rock Lake wildfire, in this aerial view southeast of Kamloops, British Columbia, on Thursday, August 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A man plays a guitar in the shade at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 28, 2021, during the heat dome event that set temperature records across the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Policy revamp might save lives in next heat dome, but so could community, say B.C. experts

Checking in on neighbours, vulnerable could save lives, experts say

A man plays a guitar in the shade at Oppenheimer Park in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 28, 2021, during the heat dome event that set temperature records across the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
British Columbia's provincial flag flies in Ottawa on Friday July 3, 2020. Environment Canada says the first hot spell of the year is about to settle over much of British Columbia, bringing temperatures in the low to mid-30s until at least early next week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Rain, impending heat wave prompt warning and raise flood potential in B.C.

Thunderstorms, rain, melting snow have the potential to push those waterways above flood stage

British Columbia's provincial flag flies in Ottawa on Friday July 3, 2020. Environment Canada says the first hot spell of the year is about to settle over much of British Columbia, bringing temperatures in the low to mid-30s until at least early next week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. launches heat alert system following 2021’s deadly heat dome

System to have 2 levels: warning and extreme heat emergencies

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Review into B.C.’s 2021 heat dome deaths finds 93% didn’t have air conditioning

Cooling requirements in new builds among recommendations by BC Coroners Service’s report

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe released a report Tuesday (June 7) reviewing heat-related deaths in B.C. in summer 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Ron Mcmyn is the co-owner of Big Valley Heating and Sheet Metal. He runs the shop with his cousin Marlow Kirkwood. The founding owners are two cousins who grew up in Pitt Meadows. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

HVAC service providers seeing sudden surge in demand

Industry is competing for employees

Ron Mcmyn is the co-owner of Big Valley Heating and Sheet Metal. He runs the shop with his cousin Marlow Kirkwood. The founding owners are two cousins who grew up in Pitt Meadows. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (File photo)

Study finds B.C. heat dome caused an uptick in climate anxiety

Over half of respondents said they were more worried about climate change after the heat dome

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June, 2021. (File photo)
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Coroner finds 10 Maple Ridge people died during heat dome

Summer 2021 claimed almost 600 lives due to record-breaking heat

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities in Sicamous B.C., on Thursday July 29, 2021. British Columbia is gearing up to respond to another heat wave by taking several steps including opening civic centres that would otherwise be closed so people can escape to a cool place if they lack air conditioning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Nearly 600 people died due to summer heat waves: BC Coroners Service

Vast majority occurred during June 25 to July 1 heat dome

Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities in Sicamous B.C., on Thursday July 29, 2021. British Columbia is gearing up to respond to another heat wave by taking several steps including opening civic centres that would otherwise be closed so people can escape to a cool place if they lack air conditioning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A woman walks her dog as mist rises from a water fountain in Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Record-breaking heat wave hits Quebec for the second time in August

Environment Canada issued a new heat warning noting the sweltering conditions can pose health risks for some

A woman walks her dog as mist rises from a water fountain in Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Another heat wave in the Lower Mainland is expected this weekend. (File photo)

Weekend’s heatwave warning escalated to ‘extreme heat alert’ by Environment Canada

High temperatures until Sunday, Aug. 15; health authorities warn of potential deadly effects

Another heat wave in the Lower Mainland is expected this weekend. (File photo)
Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities in Sicamous B.C., Thursday, July 29, 2021. The Health Ministry is urging those in areas where heat and smoky skies warnings have been posted to take steps to keep cool and stay safe as many parts of the province continue to experience poor air quality due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

B.C. officials urge caution as third summer heat wave blankets parts of the province

Ridge of high pressure is expected to reach maximum strength on Thursday and Friday

Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities in Sicamous B.C., Thursday, July 29, 2021. The Health Ministry is urging those in areas where heat and smoky skies warnings have been posted to take steps to keep cool and stay safe as many parts of the province continue to experience poor air quality due to wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Nathan Collinge, 5, Emory Ellis, 3, Myla Mulholland, 13 months, and her mother Kira, kept cool in the shade at Maple Ridge spray park during the heat wave at the end of June. (The News files)

Youth centre cooling station open for upcoming heat wave in Maple Ridge

City reminding residents to check on older neighbours, family, and friends

Nathan Collinge, 5, Emory Ellis, 3, Myla Mulholland, 13 months, and her mother Kira, kept cool in the shade at Maple Ridge spray park during the heat wave at the end of June. (The News files)
(Luke Rushton photo)

UPDATE: Heat warning issued for southern B.C. coast, temperatures expected to hit 38 C

Another heatwave is expected to hit southern B.C., with temperatures nearing 40 degrees

  • Aug 10, 2021
(Luke Rushton photo)
FILE- In this Saturday, June 26, 2021 file photo a paramedic with Falck Northwest ambulances treats a man experiencing heat exposure during a heat wave, in Salem, Ore. Consecutive days of temperatures as high as 116 F in Portland, Ore., made a folly of years of planning for more anticipated emergencies such as earthquakes and snowstorms and it was only as the disaster unfolded that authorities got a sense of how devastating it would ultimately be. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard,File)

Northwest heat wave targeted vulnerable, tested climate prep

Crisis was a wake-up call for the normally temperate Pacific Northwest

FILE- In this Saturday, June 26, 2021 file photo a paramedic with Falck Northwest ambulances treats a man experiencing heat exposure during a heat wave, in Salem, Ore. Consecutive days of temperatures as high as 116 F in Portland, Ore., made a folly of years of planning for more anticipated emergencies such as earthquakes and snowstorms and it was only as the disaster unfolded that authorities got a sense of how devastating it would ultimately be. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard,File)
Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. Christmas tree growers say intense heat singes prized trees, kills seedlings

An expert says said the heat dome could have immediate and long-term impacts for Christmas tree growers

Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A helicopter carrying a bucket flies past a property at Barnes Lake while battling the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Heat warning in effect for B.C. as firefighters battle wildfires in province

There are 60 evacuation orders affecting 3,120 properties, an increase of 62

A helicopter carrying a bucket flies past a property at Barnes Lake while battling the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people keep cool in Sicamous B.C., on Thursday July 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Doctors, lawyers want B.C. to track injuries after record heat wave

‘I saw more heat-related illness than I had ever seen in my career’

Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people keep cool in Sicamous B.C., on Thursday July 29, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Dawn Goodman and Mike De Ruiter have a banana tree that is growing fruit in their backyard. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Banana tree bears fruit in Maple Ridge backyard

Couple says heat wave at the end of June must be the reason why

Dawn Goodman and Mike De Ruiter have a banana tree that is growing fruit in their backyard. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
Olga Hansman and her 8-month-old daughter Olivia at Maple Ridge spray park. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Cooling station to open in Maple Ridge

Local spray parks also available to cool down during heat wave

Olga Hansman and her 8-month-old daughter Olivia at Maple Ridge spray park. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)