Extreme Heat Preparedness

No Heat Alerts Currently in Effect

What Is Extreme Heat?

The BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS) is used in BC to define extreme heat and set criteria for issuing heat warnings. BC HARS sets heat warning criteria using zone-specific maximum and minimum temperature ranges. Merritt is part of BC HARS Zone 4. BC HARS Zone 4 uses the following maximum and minimum temperature ranges:

Maximum. 33–35 °C
Minimum. 16–17 °C

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issues heat warnings when BC HARS heat warning criteria are met. ECCC uses the following three tiers of heat warning:

Yellow Warning

Temperatures in the forecast region are unusually high and expected to reach the minimum temperature and maximum temperature ranges for at least two days.

Orange Warning

Temperatures are very high in the forecast region and are expected to exceed the minimum temperature and maximum temperature ranges for at least three days.

Red Warning

Forecast region is at or above an orange level temperature range and the heat is expected to substantively increase day over day for three or more days.

Yellow heat warnings are typically issued several times per summer. In contrast, red heat warnings are likely to be only issued once per decade.

What Are the Health Impacts of Extreme Heat?

Symptoms of severe heat illness and heat stroke include:

Severe nausea and vomiting
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Confusion or disorientation
Difficulty speaking
Movement and coordination problems
Lethargy
Not sweating
Hot, flushed skin or very pale skin
Not urinating or very little urinating
Rapid breathing and faint, rapid heart rate
Body temperature >39 °C (102 °F)

Who Is Most at Risk?

The following people are at greater risk in extreme heat:

Older adults
People who live alone or who are socially isolated
People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety
People with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory disease
People with disabilities
People with substance use disorders
People who do not have access to adequate housing
People who work in hot environments (such as outdoors or in kitchens)
People who are pregnant
Infants and young children

What Is the City of Merritt Doing to Respond to Extreme Heat?

The City of Merritt is working with organizations like Interior Health, BC Housing, and the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) in order to respond to extreme heat. Notably, the City of Merritt is supporting the Merritt Cool Places network. The Cool Places network features business and community organizations that support people during periods of extreme heat. The network includes various places around Merritt where people can go to cool down. The network also helps advise participants about extreme heat in Merritt and share information about local resources that people can use to keep cool. Network participants may receive things like free bottled water as well as early warnings when extreme heat is forecasted. Not all network participants are publicly listed.

Merritt Cool Places

Merritt Cool Places is a local network that supports people during periods of extreme heat. The network includes the City of Merritt as well as businesses and community organizations. Some Merritt Cool Places may offer air conditioning, drinking water, or a place to sit down. Other Merritt Cool Places may only receive news about extreme heat. Merritt Cool Places are not intended to be dedicated cooling centres; rather, they are meant to be places where people can take a break from the heat.

This map shows Cool Places in Merritt as well as their hours of operation and what cooling resources they provide (click on the snowflake icons for details):

When a heat alert is issued, the City of Merritt will work with EMCR to provide bottled water to Cool Places network participants at no cost. Please contact emergency@merritt.ca if your business or organization is interested in participating in the Merritt Cool Places network or is interested in receiving news related to extreme heat.

BC Hydro Free Air Conditioners

BC Hydro offers a free portable air conditioner program to current clients of a regional health authority’s Home Care Program or Mental Health and Substance Use Program who have received a recommendation letter from their program. The regional health authority for Merritt is Interior Health. The program provides the air conditioning unit and installation services at no charge.