City of Saskatoon activates Level II emergency heat response

Daytime high temperatures in the low to mid 30s this week, combined with overnight lows that will remain above 16 C for three to seven days means the City of Saskatoon has activated its Level II Extreme Heat Emergency Response plan until Sunday.

There are three levels in the plan. The third level is activated when temperatures reach above 30 C during the day and don’t get below 16 C at night for more than one week.

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Pamela Goulden-McLeod, emergency operations director, said this year the weather has changed dramatically in a very short period of time, and to her knowledge this kind of plan hasn’t been put in place in the month of May before.

“I was looking at that. I couldn’t find an activation this early. I don’t think we have. It seems like we’ve gone from winter to summer,” she said.

The response means that the city’s partner organizations, including Station 20 West and the Avenue C drop-in centre will become cooling centres.

Misting stations and water fountains will also be set up in strategic locations, while posters will be distributed letting residents know where they can go to escape the baking temperatures. A list of cool-down locations in the city can be found here.

Saskatoon Fire Department, police, and Medavie health services have also been notified, and will keep an eye out for anyone who appears in distress.

Goulden-McLeod said there are some people who are particularly prone to the stifling heat.

“Some of the people most at risk are actually people who live in condos or in apartments who don’t have air conditioning or a way to cool those locations and are older adults with any kind of a health issue.

“So when we see this extreme heat for several days without it cooling off at night, those locations’ heat can increase constantly, and it’s tough when you can’t open in the windows at evening, it’s not cooling down,” she explained.

Goulden-McLeod is asking residents to check in with or reach out to their friends, family, and neighbours who may be living in those kinds of conditions.

As well, the city’s encampment team will be checking in on those who are homeless and living outside.

“Their first check is always for the health and safety of individuals,” she said.

Heat related illnesses can include dizziness, nausea, a rapid heart beat, extreme thirst, and even changes in behaviour for children — like sleepiness or tantrums.

Hot temperatures, which can feel hotter because of high humidity, also bring with them a risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

What is heatstroke?

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says classic heatstroke can develop without exertion when a person is exposed to a hot environment and the body is unable to cool itself effectively. The body’s ability to sweat and transfer the heat to the environment is reduced. and a person with heatstroke may stop sweating.

Classic heatstroke may develop over several days, and babies, older adults, and people with chronic health problems are at the greatest risk.

Exertional heatstroke may develop when a person is working or exercising in a hot environment. A person with heatstroke from exertion may sweat profusely, but the body still produces more heat than it can lose. This causes the body’s temperature to rise.

What are the symptoms of heatstroke?

“These people have altered levels of consciousness. They’re dizzy, they’re confused, they’re maybe going in and out of consciousness and they’ve stopped sweating,” family physician Dr. Carla Holinaty told 980 CJME in 2023.

“They just don’t have that capacity anymore and now their skin is dry.”

What can I do about heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a medical emergency and people should call 9-1-1 as soon as they notice someone showing signs of heatstroke.

After calling for help, Holinaty said it’s important to cool the afflicted person down by moving them to a cool, shady place or using cold, wet towels to lower their body temperature.

“I wouldn’t be trying to get them to drink a whole lot of liquid, especially if they’re quite confused or kind of coming in and out of consciousness, because we don’t want them to choke,” she said.

What about heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is milder than heat stroke.

“We tend to see people get headaches or muscle cramps. Sometimes they get nauseous. Sometimes they might feel a little bit dizzy or weak,” Holinaty said. “Their body temperature is not so high that it’s dangerous.”

The SHA says heat exhaustion occurs when you can’t sweat enough to cool your body. It can develop when you work or exercise in hot weather and don’t drink enough liquids to replace the fluids you lose from sweating a lot. Heat exhaustion can be caused by loss of fluid (dehydration) or loss of electrolytes.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Also, the skin is pale, cool, and moist.

Mild heat exhaustion may sometimes cause fainting but it doesn’t cause a change in your mental alertness and usually can be treated at home.

What other conditions can be cause by hot temperatures?

SHA says that heat-related illnesses include:

• Heat rash (prickly heat) that happens when the sweat ducts to the skin become blocked or swell, causing discomfort and itching.
• Heat cramps, which can occur in muscles during and after exercise because sweating caused the body to lose water, salt, and minerals (electrolytes).
• Heat edema — swelling in the legs and hands that can happen when you sit or stand for a long time in the heat.
• Heat tetany (hyperventilation and heat stress), which is usually caused by short periods of stress in a hot environment.
• Heat syncope (fainting) brought about by low blood pressure when heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate). Then body fluids move into the legs because of gravity.

Tips to beat the heat

• Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids.
• Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside.
• Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park.
• Follow the advice of your region’s public health authority.
• Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.
• Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind.
• When there is an extreme heat event occurring with wildfire smoke, prioritize keeping cool.
• Call HealthLine 811 for advice on health risks, symptoms and precautions associated with heat.

— with files from CKOM News

Read more:

• Wind fuelling grass fire burning on outskirts of Saskatoon
• Saskatchewan heat wave prompts warnings from Environment Canada