Safety measures in place as heat warning declared for Okanagan
Global News
The new warning system was developed after the deadly heat dome of 2021, which claimed about 600 lives across B.C.
At Centennial Food Solutions in Kelowna, B.C., workers have an easy way to beat the current heat.
“It is no question the coolest job in town,” said branch manager Glenn Gartner.
The workers get to spend spend a lot of their work day in a freezer storage where the temperature is set at -18 C.
“They work in here eight hours a day. They get their coffee break and lunch breaks but they spend the majority of their working day in here,” Gartner said.
The cool conditions may sound nice amid a heat warning now in effect for the Okanagan, which was issued by the province on Thursday.
“So the warning is anytime that temperatures are forecasted to be 35 degrees for two consecutive days without falling below 18 degrees overnight,” said Lance Kayfish, risk manager with the City of Kelowna.
The new warning system was developed after the deadly heat dome of 2021, which claimed about 600 lives across B.C.
“The heat dome and 2021 was really an eye-opener I think for the whole community and province,” Kayfish said.