Second August heat wave in the Tri-Cities' forecast

Dinner time will be cooking time — and not just for the food on your plate.

Environment Canada explains the late afternoon and early evening will be the hottest time of the day over the last 48 hours as a new heat warning has been issued for the Tri-Cities.

Temperatures are predicted to reach daily highs of between 35 and 40 C with humidity for inland communities like Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.

The national service stresses the latest stretch of hot weather is likely to be short lived amid a strong ridge of high pressure making its way over B.C.

"Environment Canada and local Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions," the alert reads, which was issued at 10:57 a.m. for the Tri-Cities, as well as Metro Vancouver.

The overnight and early morning lows are expected to drop to 15 C for Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 17-18).

Meteorologists are encouraging everyone to take extra precaution if local residents plan to stay outside for a significant time, noting risks are greater for children, seniors, those who are pregnant and those with chronic illnesses.

Side effects of extreme heat include the following:

Swelling
Rash
Cramps
Fainting
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Worsening of some health conditions

For more information, Environment Canada urges Tri-Cities residents to contact HealthLinkBC at 811 or go online to the organization's website.

Cooling centres

And with the current heat warning, Tri-Cities community facilities are set to act as cooling centres for vulnerable residents to seek refuge from the heat.

As of this publication (Aug. 16), Port Coquitlam says the public can convene at air-conditioned buildings like Hyde Creek Recreation Centre and the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), as well as the Terry Fox Library, if activated.

In a statement, the city says bylaw officers and staff will be checking on the vulnerable peoples in the days ahead to provide water and connect them to other related services.

In Coquitlam, several of the city's community facilities will be open at regular operating hours to serve as an escape from the hot weather, including the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, Glen Pine Pavilion and the Pinetree Community Centre.

Crews are also setting up misting tents in the following spaces from 1 to 9 p.m.:

Spirit Square (off Burlington Drive, opposite Coquitlam City Hall)
Mundy Park (off Hillcrest Street, between the playground and picnic shelters)
Town Centre Park (TD Community Plaza area and by the Percy Perry Stadium)

Port Moody, meanwhile, is opening its Civic Centre Galleria (100 Newport Dr.) as a cooling centre for those most vulnerable between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday.

As well, misting tents will be set up from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day at Kyle Centre (125 Kyle St.), Pioneer Memorial Park (275 Knowles St.) and Rocky Point Park (2800-block Murray Street).

Outdoor pools and spray parks

Each Tri-City community has outdoor pools for residents to jump in and cool down.

This includes (in alphabetical order):

Blue Mountain Wading Pool
- 975 King Albert St., Coquitlam

Eagle Ridge Pool
- 2689 Guildford Way., Coquitlam
- At least two lanes open
- Admission is $2 (cash only) for all ages and all people, even those who don’t go in the pool