Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for much of the Northwest Territories, joining much of the country in a summer heat wave.
Warnings have been issued for Aklavik, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Nahanni Butte, Tulita, Fort Liard, Inuvik, Norman Wells, Tsiigehtchic, Deline, Fort McPherson, Jean Marie River, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Wrigley, Behchoko, Fort Resolution, Whati, Fort smith, Hay River and Wekweeti regions.
In the Beaufort Delta, temperatures in the high 20s are projected as of 4:30 a.m. on July 15. In the Sahtu, temperatures could reach 30 C. Farther south, Wrigley is under both a heat warning and an air quality advisory. Temperatures could reach 36 C in the southern part of the NWT.
"The heat is expected to remain for the duration of the week with some regions persisting into the weekend," the Environment Canada warning states for Fort Liard. "Extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. The health risks are greater for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people with physical and/or mental illnesses, and people with disabilities or mobility issues.
"Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if you or someone you are caring for has a high body temperature and are confused, has stopped sweating or becomes unconscious.
"While waiting for help, cool the person right away: move them to a cool place, apply cold water to large areas of the skin and fan the person as much as possible."
Northwest Territories Power Corporation stated in an update on its social media feed that it is monitoring the situation and will dispatch crews in the events of outages as soon as it's safe to do so.
"Drink plenty of water regularly," reads the NTPC post. "Eat cool, light meals. Avoid using the oven. Keep your house cool by closing curtains or blinds.
All workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool or shaded space.
Heat warnings are and have been in effect across Canada for much of July.