Calgary under heat warning: Environment Canada

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Calgary Wednesday

With temperatures near 30 C expected to arrive and stick around for some time, Oliver Veer with the weather agency says Calgarians should get used to the heat.

“There’s not a lot of rain in the outlook — Calgary seems to be pretty dry for the short term,” he explained.

“We’re talking about more above average summer temperatures, we’re not talking about records here, so it’s going to be warmer than usual.”

However, there is a small chance thunder showers could roll in Thursday afternoon.

Otherwise, Environment Canada says conditions will likely be quite hot and dry for the time being.

That isn’t exactly what the fire department wants to hear, urging people to be extra cautious with open flames and disposing their smoking materials.

This comes after two grass fires ignited in the city Monday.

Police say the one in Inglewood was purposefully set, adding a man in his 30s approached first responders and told them he collected the ‘fluff’ from trees, placed it all in a pile, and set in on fire.

He was subsequently charged with arson and is set to make a court appearance in July.

Calgary fire crews will likely be crossing their fingers for some rain to appear in the forecast after an unseasonably warm May — the second hottest in the city’s history.

For now, it looks like June will be most of the same.

Environment Canada recommends rescheduling outdoor activities, taking frequent breaks from the heat, drinking plenty of water and checking for children and pets before exiting the vehicle during heat warnings.

“Our criteria, we estimate that at that level, it becomes a risk for health and public safety, so this is why we issued a heat warning for the city of Calgary,” Veer said.

Also make sure to monitor for symptoms of heat stroke or exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting and unconsciousness, the weather agency says.

Infants, children, seniors, and those with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system or other conditions are at higher risk for heat-related illness.