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By Michael Reeve

HEAT RESPONSE

Heat warning gives City of Kamloops first test of new decentralized heat response plan

Jul 28, 2025 | 4:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — The first heat warning of 2025 in Kamloops is set to last until Thursday (July 31) as a ridge of high pressure will bring sustained heat to the interior of B.C. That has the City of Kamloops gearing up its new heat response plan.

“We are working on a distributed throughout the community cooling network,” said Ty Helgason, Kamloops Emergency Preparedness Manager. “With this heat event we have starting [Tuesday], we will be offering indoor cooling throughout the community with free swimming at our pools, free skating at our arenas and free seniors programing in our community halls.”

Residents wishing to utilize the heat response services will need a heat response pass. To access a Heat Response Pass, any resident who does not have a safe place to cool down, can connect with one of the following locations, to request a pass:

• BGC Kamloops, 150 Wood Street, 250-554-5437
• Centre for Seniors Information, #25 700 Tranquille Road, 250-554-4145
• Interior Community Services, 480 Seymour Street, 250-374-7435
• Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, 125 Palm Street, 250-376-1296
• Kamloops Food Bank, 171 Wilson Street, 250-376-2252
• Kamloops Immigrant Services, 448 Tranquille Road, 778-470-6101
• Mount Paul Community Food Centre, 140 Laburnum Street, 236-421-1011

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The warning was issued on Monday morning. While it may seem unusually late into the summer for a first heat warning, Environment Canada noted it’s not unheard of.

“I wouldn’t say strange. I mean each summer has it’s own character, develops in its own way,” said meteorologist Matt Loney. “This summer, we haven’t had that sustained amount or number of days of constant high pressure. They have usually been breaking down within a two-day span.”

Earlier this year, Kamloops city council approved the purchase of new misting stations, including two on McArthur Island, but the installation, which is currently underway, will just miss the current heat wave.

“There will be two on McArthur Island, one near the soccer fields and one near the skate park,” highlighted Helgason. “There will be one at the North Shore transit exchange, and then there will be some slightly different misters and cooling amenities implemented at 48 Victoria Street West at the Gathering Place.”

Whether or not the misting stations are ready, Kamloops residents are well prepared to enjoy the sun, while also stealing a moment in the shade.

“We are going to stay cool, visit the water parks, maybe the pool, enjoy some air conditioning,” Crystal told CFJC News on Monday at Riverside Park.

“I can handle that, because I’m used to going south in the wintertime and a lot of time it gets up that high, right,” added Robert.

As it is the first run of the new heat response plan, Helgason expects to continue tweaking the plan to best fit the city’s needs.

“The old centralized cooling spaces, we found, were underutilized… but they were also intensive on staff to operate, and intensive in terms of the budget to operate those spaces,” said Helgason. “We are looking to activate spaces that are already in use by the public.”

For more information on cooling amenities nearest to you and how to access them, visit Kamloops.ca/Heat