From Plamondon to Cold Lake, the Lakeland region will be "dangerously" hot over the next week, say Environment Canada officials.
A region-wide heat warning was issued by the national weather service on Friday night, urging residents in several regions of the province to prepare for a "prolonged, dangerous, and potentially historic heat wave (that) will begin this weekend in Alberta and will last through next week."
Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the 30 to mid 30 degree Celsius range through the weekend, and could rise to the 40C level through the coming week.
Across the Lakeland, the heat warning is in effect for these areas:
- Co. of St. Paul near Ashmont St. Vincent and St. Lina
- Co. of St. Paul near Elk Point and St. Edouard
- Co. of St. Paul near Lindbergh and Frog Lake
- Co. of St. Paul near St. Paul and Lafond
- Improvement District 349 including Cold Lake Air Weapons Range
- Lac La Biche Co. near Fork Lake
- Lac La Biche Co. near Heart Lake
- Lac La Biche Co. near Lac La Biche and Square Lake
- Lac La Biche Co. near Lakeland Prov. Park and Rec. Area
- Lac La Biche Co. near Plamondon Hylo and Avenir
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Beaverdam
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Bonnyville Ardmore and Kehewin Res.
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Cold Lake and City of Cold Lake
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Fishing Lake Smt
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Glendon and Moose Lake
- M.D. of Bonnyville near La Corey Wolf Lake and Truman
- Smoky Lake Co. near Buffalo Lake and Kikino Smts
- Smoky Lake Co. near Vilna Saddle Lake and Whitefish Lake
Throughout the heat warning forecast, night time lows are not expected to drop lower than 15C.
Outside work
In Lac La Biche County, several outdoor construction projects are currently in progress, leading municipal officials rely on industry-standard best practices for staff and contractors.
In a community with a marketing slogan of "Welcoming By Nature", municipal officials are frequently addressing issues relating to the heat of summer and the deep freeze of some winter months that often welcome its northern Alberta residents.
"We're well aware of the dangers that extreme temperatures can pose," says Lac La Biche County spokesperson Jihad Moghrabi.
'Prolonged, dangerous, and potentially historic heat wave'
- Environment Canada
With staffing levels of around 200, and a large portion that work in parks and recreation areas, public works or maintenance, the safety levels relating to weather conditions are a big part of the municipality's workload. The municipality is also currently employing almost 60 summer and seasonal student workers, many who are working outdoors on grass cutting and maintenance projects.
"The County’s first priority is our employees’ safety, and our supervisory team takes matters like the upcoming heat wave very seriously," says Moghrabi.
For staff who will continue to work outside during the expected heat wave, a regular trip to cool-down areas will be part of their workday, as well as regular hydration.
"Generally speaking, if staff are indeed able to work outside during an extreme temperature event like the upcoming heat wave, they take frequent breaks in climate controlled settings," says Moghrabi. "We encourage staff to stay well-hydrated, wear lighter clothing — as long as it is safe for the type of work that they’re doing — and take on less strenuous tasks."
Similar precautions from Environment Canada officials are advised for all members of the public faced with outdoor activity in regions under the extreme heat warning.
Suggestions to beat the heat
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day.
• Take frequent breaks from the heat, spending time in cooled indoor spaces where possible.
• Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.
• Check for your children or pets before you exit your vehicle.
• Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, for any length of time.
Health officials caution residents to monitor for symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness. Residents are also asked to pay particular attention to individuals who can experience more severe effects from heat including infants, children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Fire permits restricted
On Saturday morning, Lac La Biche County officials also announced that due to the extreme weather forecast, a fire restriction is in place for the County's permitting area.The restriction means that no new fire permits will be issued for all non-essential burning. Small, safe cooking and warming fires (campfires) are still permitted
