Saturday August 9, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Posted by Island Social Trends
REGIONAL ALERT: East and Inland Vancouver Island
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for multiple areas in the Island Health region from August 10 to August 12, 2025.
The areas impacted include East Vancouver Island from Duncan to Campbell River and a large portion of Inland Vancouver Island.
The province has not declared an extreme heat emergency for these regions.
This information was released today by Island Health, as a public service announcement.
Risk of heat-related illnes:
With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness increases.
Everyone is at risk of heat-related illness, but hot temperatures can be especially dangerous for seniors (ages 65 years or older); infants and young children; pregnant people; people with chronic health conditions and mental illnesses; people who work outdoors; and people who live alone or are socially isolated, homeless, or unsheltered.
More details about extreme heat, including symptoms of heat-related illness and those most at risk, are available on the Island Health public website.
When to call 911:
When it comes to heat, this is when to call 911:
- In cases of heat stroke: loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine
- In general: when there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe burns, choking, convulsions that are not stopping, a drowning, a severe allergic reaction, a head injury, signs of a stroke, signs of an overdose or a major trauma.
Less urgent health concerns:
- You can call HealthLinkBC at 811 and speak with a nurse or go to an urgent care centre or clinic if you can do so safely. That way, our emergency medical dispatch staff and paramedics will be available for people who need their services the most.
- There are also online tools at healthlinkbc.ca, including a “Check Your Symptoms” tool.
Steps to protect yourself:
Some tips for preventing heat-related illness:
- Keep your home cool by: Opening windows when the outdoor temperature goes down below the indoor temperature at night
- Shut windows and close curtains/blinds to keep cooler air in and the sun out
- Avoid making meals using the oven
- The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance, including information on the different types of heat alerts, how to prepare for hot temperatures, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, those most at risk during hot weather and ways to stay cool.
- More information can also be found in BC’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide.
Cooling vs smoky air:
If you are experiencing extreme heat during an air quality advisory, prioritize cooling down. Heat is typically more dangerous than short-term exposure to poor air quality.
Keep your body cool by:
- Wearing a damp towel or shirt
- Taking a cool bath or shower
- Putting an ice tray in front of a fan
- Using a personal mister or spray bottle
- Drinking lots of water
- Lowering your activity level and avoiding intense activities
- Important: While fans can help you feel more comfortable, they do not work to lower body temperature at temperatures over 35C.
High-risk individuals:
Do your best to take care of high-risk individuals by:
- Visit them to check the indoor temperature of their home
- Encourage them to take cool baths and sleep in their coolest room, such as the basement
- Invite them to your house if you have air conditioning
- Never leave children, dependent adults or pets alone in a parked car. Leaving vehicle windows open will not help.
Keep up to date on weather alerts and information:
===== RELATED:
- More heat pump rebates for renters & condo owners (July 176, 2025)
- Island Health issues heat safety tips (July 7, 2024)
- It’s hot out there – know the signs of heat exhaustion (July 26, 2022)
- BC launches preparedness plan for heat events (June 8, 2022)
- Smoky air is a health hazard, but heat trumps that (July 24, 2021)
NEWS SECTIONS: HEALTH | ISLAND HEALTH