‘Don’t play around’: Manitobans urged to stay safe amid heat wave

A heat warning is in effect for nearly half the province, including Winnipeg. CTV’s Joseph Bernacki has more.

Organizations in Manitoba are reminding people to take precautions as extreme heat arrives in the province.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued heat warnings on Friday throughout southern Manitoba, with temperatures expected to hit 36 C on Sunday.

At Main Street Project, staff are working around the clock to collect donated cases of bottled water and deliver them to those in need.

“Hydration is the key in extreme heat, I would say, and people experiencing homelessness are the most vulnerable,” said Chhavi Dhir, communications specialist with Main Street Project.

Dhir said the organization’s water drive is a summer staple during periods of extreme heat. The more cases of water donated, the more are flying out.

“The van outreach is running 24/7,” Dhir said on Friday.

“They are always giving out water bottles.”

The organization is asking the public to drop off water at 176 Logan Avenue.

As temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-30s until early next week, Environment and Climate Change Canada said staying hydrated is key to staying safe as temperatures roast southern Manitoba. This is before factoring in the humidity.

And that’s before even factoring in the humidity.

“Humidex values will be more like low to mid 40s so definitely reaching that dangerous zone for sure,” said Julien Corriveau, a meteorologist with ECCC.

Corriveau is urging people spending time outside to be aware of the symptoms of a heat stroke.

“If you start to feel dizzy, have a headache, or are uneasy, it’s time to go inside,” he said.

“Find some air conditioning for sure. Don’t play around with this kind of heat this weekend.”

It’s not just people trying to beat the heat.

At Assiniboine Park Zoo, animals of all types are finding different ways to stay cool.

“The wolves will be the same kind of idea where they are tucked into the shade; they’ll dig a little nook into the ground, a little den if you will,” said Char Leafloor, animal care professional supervisor with Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

“They’ll tuck themselves into the earth because the earth will be a lot cooler than the surface.”

Leafloor said all of the animals will have access to fresh water to drink, and those who can will swim.

“If they have a pool in their habitat that will be clean, freshly filled, ready for them to go dip in and cool off,” she said.

CTV News reached out to the City of Winnipeg for comment on tips to avoid the heat. A spokesperson referred to the nine hydration stations scattered around the downtown.

Libraries and leisure centres are expected to be open as places for the public to cool down indoors over the weekend.