The City of Surrey is preparing for "potential extreme heat events" this year, in part by setting up places of refuge to escape searing temperatures as well as smoke.
Councillor Rob Stutt remarked that the Surrey Extreme Heat Response Guideline – 2025 is "vital to the existence of less fortunate people."
He asked city staff on Monday if the provincial government is contributing to "any funding or resource" related to this.
Laurie Cavan, Surrey's general manager of parks, recreation and culture, replied that if there are any "incremental" expenses "that have occurred in association of a response to when a heat alert is called, we can do a recovery through the Province."
According to a corporate report that council endorsed on Monday, an extreme heat emergency happens when temperatures during the day and night rise above specified levels for a heat warning and are forecast to continue rising for three consecutive days.
The report notes that extreme heat and alerts concerning air quality frequently coincide," with the frequency of the alerts, "particularly due to wildfire smoke, is dynamic and predicated by jet stream patterns and either La Nina or El Nino ocean events."
Seniors citizens are among those facing the highest risk during extreme heat, especially those living with inadequate ventilation, few or no cooling options, and shouldering significant health risks.
During the heat dome of 2021 there were 619 heat-related deaths in B.C., with 75 per cent being in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health Authority regions.
According to Surrey's guideline, the heatwave from June 24 to June 30, 2021 was "the deadliest weather event in Canadian history."
Meantime, city hall has already activated its Dry Season Action Plan.
Here are Surrey's designated locations to beat the heat, to stick on your fridge.
CLOVERDALE: Cloverdale Recreation Centre 6188 176 Street 604-598-7960; Clayton Community Centre 7155 187A Street 604-502-6300; Cloverdale Library 5642 176A Street 604-598-7320; Museum of Surrey 17710 56A Avenue 604-592-6956.
FLEETWOOD: Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex #100-16555 Fraser Highway 604-501-5950; Fleetwood Library 15996 84 Avenue 604-598-7340.
GUILDFORD: Fraser Heights Recreation Centre 10588 160 Street 604-592-6920; Guildford Library 15105 105 Avenue 604-598-7360
Guildford Recreation Centre 15105 105 Avenue 604-502-6360.
NEWTON: Newton Recreation Centre 13730 72 Avenue 604-501-5540; Newton Library 13795 70 Avenue 604-598-7400; Strawberry Hill Library 7399 122 Street 604-501-5836.
SOUTH SURREY: South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre 14601 20 Avenue 604-592-6970; Ocean Park Library 12854 17 Avenue 604-502-6304; Semiahmoo Library 1815 152 Street 604-592-6900.
WHALLEY: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre 13458 107A Avenue 604-598-5898; City Centre Library 10350 University Drive 604-598-7420.
