Heat Waves
This resource list is created to help British Columbians affected by heat waves navigate relevant information by breaking it down into categories, providing easy access to key phone numbers, as well as links to sources of detailed and up-to-date information. To speak with a 211 Resource Navigator, dial 2-1-1 or text 2-1-1.
Note: To find out where heat warnings are in place and locations of cooling centres and public cooling spaces, visit EmergencyInfoBC and EmergencyMapBC, or check with your local municipality, First Nation, or regional district. For additional resources offered by nonprofits (including cooling sites), search for “cooling” using a keyword search.
Last Updated: June 26, 10 am PT
- stay hydrated and cool
- dress light/wear loose fitted clothing
- take cool baths or showers, or soak your feet
- use cool mist on self before cooling off in front of a fan
- places to go cool off include community centres, libraries, malls, movie theatres, religious centres, pools/spray parks, or lakes/beaches
- avoid prolonged sun exposure, and wear sun protection (sunscreen, hat)
- check in with your neighbours, family, friends, and the vulnerable
- know the signs of heat illness/stroke and monitor yours and others’ symptoms
- Heat and Pets: Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion
In case of a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
HealthLinkBC provides heat safety information such as how to treat and prevent heat-related illness. For medical advice about your experience with extreme heat, call the nurse’s line at 8-1-1 (available 24/7).
National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH) provides a guide for doing health checks (in-person and remote) during extreme heat events.
Building Resilient Neighbourhoods (BRN) provides a guide for BC neighbourhoods to Prepare Together for Extreme Heat.
Save Your Skin Foundation provides free sunscreen dispensers in communities across BC.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is responsible for public weather alerts in Canada. BC applies additional health-specific thresholds and activation rules. There are three types of heat alerts:
- Yellow Warning: unusually high daytime and overnight temperatures for 2+ days. Take steps to stay cool.
- Orange Warning: very high daytime and overnight temperatures for 3+ days. Take steps to stay cool and protect yourself and others.
- Red Warning: orange warning conditions with a pattern of substantive day-over-day temperature increases for 3+ days. Activate your extreme heat emergency plan.
Heat alerts are issued through Canada’s alert system, Alert Ready, as well as through ECCC’s EC Alert Me notifications via email and the WeatherCAN app.
Air Quality Advisories are issued by the Ministry of Environment.
EmergencyInfoBC and EmergencyMapBC to find out where heat warnings are in place, and locations of cooling centres and public cooling spaces, drinking water fountains, and other resources.
BC Centre for Disease Control preparing for heat events and knowing the types of alerts.
BC Housing Heat and Pets: Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion
BC SPCA tips for keeping pets cool at home
PreparedBC Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide
Health Canada Combined wildfire smoke and heat – how to protect your health
Canadian Red Cross what to do before, during, and after a heat wave
Toward the Heart preparedness guide for people who use substances
WHO main heat vulnerability factors (populations plus exposure factors)
WorkSafeBC information on heat stress at work
Local authorities may have resources and services that are be activated during extreme heat. Check with the local municipality, First Nation, or regional district for educational information, as well as cooling centres, cooling pop-up locations, facilities with air conditioning such as libraries and community centres, and outdoor spaces such as pools, spray parks, and misting stations.
Health Authorities
Fraser Health heat alert bulletin and safety tips
Interior Health information on extreme heat and health
Vancouver Coastal Health staying safe and cool in heat
Island Health heat safety
Northern Health extreme heat and heat warnings
BC Hydro provides free portable air conditioners and installation for households and individuals who have received a recommendation letter from their regional health authority’s Home Care Program or Mental Health and Substance Use Program. Applications are online.
BC Hydro offers a $50 rebate for select energy-efficient portable or window air conditioners at participating retailers from May 1st to August 21st, 2026. Rebates are automatically applied at checkout.
FortisBC provides (a limited number) of free air conditioners for income-equalified customers who have received a recommendation letter from their regional health authority’s Home Care Program. Applications are online.
BC Hydro offers heat pump rebates. A heat pump is an efficient heating and cooling system that uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. In summer, it transfers heat from inside the home to the outdoors, like an air conditioner.
MS Canada Cooling Products Program provides financial assistance to eligible individuals with MS requiring support with the purchase of cooling products such as fans, air conditioning units, and central air units. Cooling Product guidelines are here. Those with questions about the program or application can contact an MS Navigator at 1-844-859-6789 or msnavigators@mscanada.ca.