As a record-breaking heatwave washes over British Columbia, Revelstoke is feeling the burn this week. A number of businesses have either closed or altered their services, and cooling stations are being set up around town.
The Revelstoke Community Center is offering an air-conditioned drop-in space on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If temperatures do not drop by Saturday, the cooling center will reopen from noon until 5:30 p.m. Additionally, the Library has air conditioning and is open to the public to cool down.
Taking a refreshing swim is a popular option for cooling down. However, parking lots at high-traffic swimming holes like Williamson Lake fill up fast. The Farwell Park splash pad offers a convenient, in-town recreation option.
Despite thermometers surging across town, the RCMP has only received a few heat-related calls for assistance, with no serious incidents reported yet.
Restaurants in Revelstoke are taking the heatwave seriously, and some are modifying or stopping service to protect workers from dangerous temperatures. As explained by The Village Idiot in a Facebook post, “temperatures will be reaching a billion degrees and [that] would mean the kitchen would be around 2 billion degrees.” Additionally, the Taco Club shared they would be turning off their ovens and closing their patio to cool down the restaurant.
Temperatures across Western Canada are reaching historic highs, with forecasts predicting the heatwave to last the rest of the week. In response to the harsh conditions, the Government of British Columbia issued a fire ban beginning on Wednesday.
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion: what to watch out for
The risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion is particularly high this week. Young children, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular conditions are more at risk. Some symptoms to watch out for according to Healthlink B.C. are:
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Headache, dizziness, or feeling faint.
- Weakness or muscle cramps.
- Skin that may be red, pale, hot, and dry.
- Confusion, restlessness or aggressive behaviour.
In the case of heat-related illness, move the person to a cooler space if possible and seek medical attention immediately.
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