Kamloops under heat warning, with more smoke possible in coming days

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Environment Canada’s threshold for heat warnings is 35 degrees as a daytime high and 18 as a nighttime low. Loney said the weather system hitting Kamloops this week has reached that mark.

“For folks to take precaution – drink plenty of liquids, stay out of the midday sun if you can, wear long-sleeved, thin layers to protect yourselves from the sun and try to get the interior of your home below 25 C or so,” explained Loney.

The heat warning comes as Environment Canada said the Humidex values are reaching 33 degrees Celsius on Monday (July 20), and will remain elevated until Thursday (July 23).

Loney said there could be some relief later this week, as temperatures should cool starting Thursday (July 23).

“The ridge of high pressure will break down somewhat after Wednesday, so temperatures will be back in the low 30s C by then. There could even be a risk of a shower or thundershower as that ends,” said Loney.

“Typically when these upper-ridge-of-high-pressure systems break down in the summertime, we’ll see the potential for lightning and convection. That’s certainly something that we’re monitoring in the coming days.”

Meanwhile, Environment Canada still has an air quality warning in effect due to wildfire smoke lingering in the air.

“We expect conditions to be deteriorating in the western portion of the Thompson Valley that are closer to the active wildfires,” said Loney.

“Some of that smoke could certainly migrate into Kamloops itself over the coming days. It’s something we’re monitoring, but we haven’t seen that thicker smoke yet prevail. Depending on even lighter wind conditions from the west to the east, we could see some infiltration of smoke into the Kamloops area.”

Interior Health said wildfire smoke can pose a risk to public health for anyone, especially for those with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, children, people 65 and older, and anyone with a chronic condition or acute illness.

“In terms of the folks who are at highest risk, we think of people who have chronic conditions – so respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions are typically at higher risk. When I say respiratory conditions, I’m thinking COPD or asthma, and cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.” said Dr. Janice Mok, a public health officer with Interior Health speaking with CFJC Today.

Mok recommends monitoring air quality and reducing strenuous outdoor activity during smoky periods, and seeking medical attention if symptoms become severe.

“One important thing is tracking that [Air Quality Health Index]. It offers such helpful advice, both for the general population and for people at risk, such that it can really support people in making decisions about what they want to do, modifying their activities. Then I think the other piece that’s important is just taking some steps to prepare,” said Dr. Mok.