Paramedics urge caution as temperatures rise across Lower Mainland

While most of B.C. remains under a special weather statement as the summer's first hot weather rolls through, the advisory has been upgraded to a heat warning for the Lower Mainland.

While most of B.C. remains under a special weather statement as the summer's first hot weather rolls through, the advisory has been upgraded to a heat warning for the Lower Mainland.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued the warning for Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Howe Sound Sunday morning, saying it's expected to be in place through Monday.

In the wake of last year’s deadly heat dome which claimed the lives of hundreds of British Columbians, the BC Centre for Disease Control, Fraser Health, and Vancouver Coastal Health all took to social media urging people to take the heat warning seriously.

"The precautionary things like hydration obviously, shade, sunscreen...those are the standard precautions we do recommend. Avoiding extended periods of time in the direct sunlight,” said Troy Clifford, president of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC.

Clifford said in addition to a potential spike in heat-related illnesses, paramedics will likely be kept busy with more accidents, falls and water incidents because of the nice weather.

He urged people to be cautious, especially around lakes and rivers, and anywhere alcohol is being consumed.  

For most of the region, temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-to-high 20s near the water and the low 30s farther inland, but the Fraser Valley is expected to see daytime highs close to 34 C and overnight lows in the high teens, according to the warning.