Southern Sask. heat wave expected to last all week as air quality drops

Yellow heat and air quality warnings were issued by Environment Canada for many parts of western and southern Saskatchewan on Saturday, and that heat could last all week.

The warnings affect the cities of Lloydmister, Moose Jaw, Regina, Estevan and Weyburn as well as a number of RMs.

Shannon Moodie, meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the heat is a bit of a tricky situation where a lot of places in Saskatchewan are quite hot, but just below warning criteria.

Read more:

• Tips to survive Saskatchewan’s potentially record-breaking heat wave
• Here’s what to do if you suspect someone has heatstroke
• Learn the health risks associated with wildfire smoke in Saskatchewan

Heat and smoke warnings were issued for parts of Saskatchewan on Saturday. (Environment Canada website)

Moodie said in the south of the province is where most warnings are and said they will last until next weekend.

“You may see a break for a day or two, but in general, we’re going to see highs in the 30s till next weekend,” she said.

The warning criteria is not just related to the daytime heat, but also that things won’t really cool down much at night.

“The criteria we have for our heat warnings is daytime highs of 32 and lows of 16. We also have a humidex criteria of 38. Those overnight lows are not allowing people to cool their houses if they don’t have air conditioning,” Moodie said.

Some regions under heat warnings are also getting smoke.

“Yesterday we had some smoke from the fires in B.C. spread into southwestern Saskatchewan, and we are expecting that to linger over the next few days.”

Potentially the smoke could spread through southern Saskatchewan into southeastern Saskatchewan, Moodie said. Environment Canada says that air quality and reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

“Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations,” the alerts say.

“People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”

EC said people may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough and anyone experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing, severe cough, dizziness or chest pains should stop outdoor activities and contact a health care provider.

They advise that when indoors, people should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible and to protect indoor air from wildfire smoke by using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system or a portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.

Both agencies said people should limit time outdoors as much as possible, and wearing a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce exposure to fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.

People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution include those aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.

More information on air quality alerts for specific areas of the province is available at weather.gc.ca.

Information is also available on the Saskatchewan Public Service Agency website at saskpublicsafety.ca and the SaskAlert app. The provincial air quality summary for Saskatchewan can be found here.

What is heatstroke?

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

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.

Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day.

Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body.

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.