Heat warning in effect until Wednesday
Weather service warns of high temperatures, humidity for several days throughout N.B.
A heat-warning advisory was issued for all of New Brunswick on Saturday, and the federal weather service emphasized that the hot, humid weather is expected to last for several days.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a heat warning for all areas of the province shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, noting that extreme hot and humid conditions are expected beginning Sunday through until Wednesday.
The department’s weather service said maximum daytime temperatures in New Brunswick over that period are expected to reach 30 to 34 degrees Celsius, with a humidex of 38 to 42.
It should be cooler along parts of the coast, it said.
Minimum overnight temperatures will only be down to 18 C, the advisory said.
“A combination of very high temperatures and elevated humidity will occur from Sunday through to Wednesday then will gradually improve,” it said.
“The warmest conditions are expected to occur Monday and Tuesday over most of New Brunswick except near the Bay of Fundy where conditions will be generally cooler.”
The weather alert comes on the heels of the provincial government announcing an elevated risk of wildfires in forested land and increased precautionary measures.
The provincial Department of Natural Resources announced Saturday afternoon that as of 12:01 a.m. Sunday, all Crown land in New Brunswick will be closed due to an extreme wildfire hazard.
“As a result of extremely dry and dangerous conditions, the closure of Crown land will see all industrial and recreational activities prohibited on Crown land,” the department said in a news release Saturday.
“People currently at camps on Crown land are encouraged to leave by midnight. In addition, people are also being asked to avoid using private woodlots and woods roads.”
Among the restrictions to come into effect at midnight are the following:
hiking, camping, fishing and the use of vehicles in the woods are all prohibited;
trail systems through woods are off limits;
and while camping is allowed but only in campgrounds, the public is being urged to reconsider such activities until the forest-fire risk subsides.
Private property owners are also being encouraged to follow the same restrictions, it said.
The federal weather service also warned that the hotter and more humid conditions in the coming days pose risks to everyone’s health.
“Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day,” the heat warning said.
“Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water.”
In the event of heat stroke, people should call 911 or an emergency health provider, it said, everyone should drink plenty of water and often before feeling thirsty to replace fluids.
“Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside,” the alert said.
“Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park.”
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