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(SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)

As the weather warms up ahead of the forecast heat wave this weekend, the City of Kamloops is reminding residents of its heat alert response protocol.

According to a media release from the city, the heat protocol will kick in when Environment Canada issues a heat warning for Kamloops.

A heat warning is issued when the daytime high temperature is forecast to be 35 Celsius or greater and the nighttime low temperature does not go below 18 C for two or more days in a row. Starting July 8, the daytime high temperature in Kamloops may reach 40 C.

Protocols in place include indoor cooling spaces and sharing information on the city's website, social media and the messages on the alert response system.

If the Sandman Centre isn't booked, the concourse area is the official indoor cooling centre of all residents of Kamloops in need of a place to cool off. 

Subject to its availability, the Sandman Centre concourse has been recommended as the official site for an indoor cooling centre when a heat warning has been issued. City staff and recreational contractors, where appropriate, will provide staffing and oversight in the space. The opening of the cooling centre will be communicated if it is active during a heat event.

The city suggests residents who need heat relief access water parks, drinking fountains, and washrooms with potable water at various park locations.

“In the event that a heat warning has been issued, our wish is that residents can work together to ensure that family members, friends, and neighbours have someone that will reach out to them to check in on their well-being,” emergency preparedness manager Ty Helgason said in the release.

“The city is committed to doing the best we can to share information from our partners to educate and inform our residents on how they can best prepare for potential extreme heat this summer.”

For tips to beat the heat as well as symptoms and treatment for heat-related illness go here.

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