The Saskatoon Extreme Heat and Air Quality Emergency Response Plan is being activated by the Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization (EMO) and will be in effect at least until next Tuesday. A full list of services available can be found here.
The Director of Emergency Management says residents of Saskatoon experiencing homelessness are deeply impacted by the extreme heat. Pamela Goulden-McLeod says it also impacts those who are in a living situation where their building heats up significantly during the day.
“People who are older adults who often live alone and who live in a house or apartment or condo that doesn’t have a way to cool it down and with this extended period of time and with the heat not cooling off at night, those buildings aren’t cooling off and that’s where we see real risk.”
She urges residents to reach out to those you know who may be in that kind of living situation and find out if there is anything they need that would help them contend with the heat. Today (Thursday) the Saskatoon Fire Department is hosting a slip and slide at John Lake Park at Broadway and Wilson. And all of the city’s spray pads stay open until 10 p.m.
A news release from the City of Saskatoon says the plan is a coordinated response that provides residents with access to cooling locations, outreach services, wellness checks and water distribution during extreme heat. There will be designated cool-down locations throughout the city along with misting tents as another way of cooling down for those individuals and families experiencing distress from the heat. If the situation is an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
EMO reminds residents that swimming in the South Saskatchewan River is prohibited. Officials point out the river has many hazards including changing currents and an unstable river bottom.
For those with pets make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink, monitor them for heat stress such as rapid panting, never leave pets in parked cars.
Anyone who works outdoors is reminded to drink extra water, increase breaks out in the sun and modify work duties to prevent heat illness. The City of Saskatoon notes that heat waves mean increased watering of yards and officials encourage residents to water early in the morning, as well skip windy days.
