Fire crews and health officials in Western Canada are on high alert as soaring temperatures and tinder dry conditions hit parts of British Columbia and Alberta.
The heat wave is expected to peak this weekend.
Calgary faces daytime highs of 38 degrees Celsius. Similar temperatures are in the forecast for Vancouver.
In Kelowna, B.C., where temperatures are expected to hit nearly 40 C, residents flocked to hardware stores Friday to buy fans and air conditioners.
Health officials say such high temperatures pose a serious health risk and are warning residents not to spend a lot of time out in the sun.
"You're going to feel rotten,” Vancouver medical health officer Dr. John Carsley told CTV Vancouver. “You may feel lightheaded or dizzy. You really want to get in out of the heat if those symptoms show up.”
Environment Canada has issued extreme heat warnings for Calgary, Vancouver, and Kelowna, as well as Lethbridge, Edmonton, and the Okanagan Valley region.
But health risks aren’t the only worry. The extreme heat is also creating dry conditions that are expected to lead to more fires, officials said.
Vancouver was already hit by four fires in the same day on Friday and officials say conditions may get worse.
“The fire rating will probably hit extreme by mid-week,” West Vancouver’s assistant fire Chief Jeff Bush said.
The Vancouver Park Board is also asking residents to help water young trees in order to help them survive the extreme conditions.
More information about weather conditions is available on Environment Canada’s weather alerts website.
With a report from CTV Vancouver
