DR. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, in a statement on Thursday acknowledging the fifth anniversary of the 2021 heat dome said: “As we experience the first heat of this summer, we are reminded of the tragic event in 2021 when more than 600 people in our communities died as a result of unprecedented extreme heat. While this was the first provincewide heat dome experienced in B.C., we know it will not be the last. Compounding the tragedy, most of the people who died were in their own homes, often alone, and without adequate means to cool their home.

“We know this event had a tremendous effect on families and communities who lost loved ones and also on the many first responders and health-care workers who did their utmost to care for the overwhelming number of people who were affected by the heat. On this anniversary, my thoughts are with those who were affected and those who live with trauma from that event.

“In 2021, we made a commitment to learn as much as we could about who and how people were affected, and to develop short- and long-term plans to prepare for future heat events and protect those who are most susceptible. I am particularly proud of the work of the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control in pulling partners together from throughout the province to form the BC Health Effects of Anomalous Temperatures (BC HEAT) committee. Together, this committee launched the BC Heat Alert and Response System (BC HARS) and the Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide. These resources help people at every level, from personal to community to provincial, to be aware and to plan for heat events.

“Heat events do not impact everyone equally. People living in poverty, individuals with mental illness and those with chronic health conditions often face higher risks when they lack access to a cool indoor space. For people who are susceptible to heat, sustained indoor temperatures over 26 C can pose a risk to health, and sustained temperatures over 31 C can be dangerous.

“We can all play a role in keep each other safe and checking in with family, friends, and neighbours who are at higher risk.

“As we head into another summer with predictions of more days and nights with high temperatures, we remind you to prepare for heat and build a plan to take care of yourself and the people around you.”