The City of Port Coquitlam reminds residents to stay cool and hydrated this summer and to prepare personal and family emergency plans for heat-related situations. Resident safety is a top priority, and taking proactive steps now can help protect everyone when temperatures climb, particularly seniors, young children, people living alone, and those with chronic health conditions.
New Colour-Coded Heat Warnings for 2026
New for 2026, heat warnings in BC use a colour-coded system aligned with Environment and Climate Change Canada's updated weather alerts. Health risks increase from Yellow to Red:
Yellow Warning - Heat (most common): unusually high daytime and overnight temperatures for at least two days.
Orange Warning - Heat (uncommon): very high temperatures for at least three days.
Red Warning - Heat (rare): dangerous heat that continues to build day over day.
Tips for Staying Safe and Cool
To reduce the risk of heat illness during warm weather, residents are encouraged to:
Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, before feeling thirsty to avoid dehydration.
Spend time a cool or air-conditioned space such as the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (HC), or Terry Fox Library. At home, take cool showers or baths.
Monitor indoor temperatures and learn to recognize the signs of heat illness particularly in homes without air-conditioning.
Avoid direct sun. When outdoors, use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella and seek shade whenever possible.
Choose lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric.
Schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day or choose locations with tree cover.
Never leave children or pets unattended in parked vehicles or in direct sunlight.
Check in regularly check on family members, neighbours, and friends, particularly seniors and those with medical conditions.
Prepare meals that don't require oven use.
Block out sun by opening awnings and closing curtains or blinds during the day.
Cool off at one of the City’s spray parks or outdoor pools:
Spray Parks (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily): Castle Park, Sun Valley Park, Lions Park, and Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).
Outdoor Pools: Centennial Pool, Routley Pool, Sun Valley Pool, and Robert Hope Pool. Hours of operation may vary by location. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/outdoorpools for details.
Leigh Square fountain (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily) with fountain shows at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.
Know the Signs of Heat Illnesses
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 immediately if someone appears very sick or shows signs such as confusion, fainting, unconsciousness, seizures, very hot skin or a body temperature of 39°C or higher. While waiting for help to arrive:
Move the person to a cool or shaded place if possible.
Apply cold water to large areas of their skin or clothing.
Fan the person as much as possible.
Other heat illnesses include heat exhaustion, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles), heat rash, and muscle cramps.
Watch for symptoms such as dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, extreme thirst, and decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine. If any of these symptoms occur, move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.
City Resources
The City will continue to monitor updates from local health authorities and the province regarding heat notifications and will advise residents of changes as needed.
To help residents find cooling resources in their neighbourhood, the City has developed a convenient online map highlighting the locations of indoor cooling centres, outdoor pools, spray parks, and public drinking water fountains.
Visit portcoquitlam.ca/heat to view the map and learn more about preparing for heat warnings. For general health-related inquiries, call 8-1-1 or visit healthlinkbc.ca.
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