Communties across the South Okanagan have opened cooling centres to deal with the high heat levels.
The City of Penticton has opened up multiple locations as cooling centres and issued a news release reminding people to stay safe during the high temperature conditions.
"We’re encouraging everyone to take precautions and be aware of the dangers posed by the high temperatures,” said Mayor Julius Bloomfield in a news release. “Simple steps can make a big difference.
"Please drink plenty of water, cover up as needed, apply sunscreen, go for a dip in the lakes and check in on your friends, family, seniors and neighbours."
City facilities that are open as cooling centres during the high temperatures are:
• South Okanagan Events Centre walking track (835 Eckhart Ave.) will be open between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Penticton Community Centre (325 Power St.) will be open between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Penticton Public Library (785 Main St.) will be open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
• Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre (2965 Main St.) will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• City Hall (171 Main St.): Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Town of Oliver has a cooling centre open at the Community Hall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
In Osoyoos, during the extreme heat the Sonora Community Centre and the Sun Bowl Arena will be open as a cooling centres.
The Sonora Centre is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Sun Bowl Arena is open from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday to Sunday.
The City of Penticton has also issued a two-week exemption to its noise bylaw for city works and construction projects to allow them to start work at 6 a.m., before the heat becomes too intense.
Water refill stations are also available in Penticton at the Seniors Drop-In Centre, Okanagan Beach, City Hall, Munson Mountain, Dunant Park and Skaha Lake Park.
For information about how to be prepared during extreme heat, the provincial government has online information available at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/severe-weather/extreme-heat.
