SpongeG
Jul 12, 2007, 1:31 AM
in case some of you haven't stepped outside in the last day or two...
We're having a heatwave — records melted in 17 areas (6:05 pm)
Temperatures soared to 38.8 C in Chilliwack this afternoon, making the Fraser Valley community the hotspot of B.C. as all-time records for July 11 were broken in 17 communities across the province.
The previous record in Chilliwack, set in 1961, was 36.1 C.
Chilliwack, Victoria (36.3 C) and Abbotsford (37.9 C) recorded the highest temperatures ever for any date in their communities.
Vancouver's highest temperature for today was 28.3 C - below the record of 29.3 C for July 11.
The heatwave, caused by a major ridge of high pressure, sent residents fleeing to local parks and beaches and stocking up on air-conditioning units.
The hot weather packed Vancouver's beaches and pools, but those wanting a dip after work at Spanish Banks, Locarno and Jericho beaches, were warned to steer clear of the water at high tide after 200 logs washed onto shore.
Parks officials said the high tide would make the logs, both single and in bundles of 20 to 30 spires, "extremely dangerous."
"It's a bit of a lifeguard nightmare out there where these logs are," said Glenn Schultz, superviser of beaches and outdoor pools.
The mercury is expected to dip by five to 10 per cent across the province in the next few days as the wind direction shifts, with a forecasted high of 27 C on Thursday and a mix of sun and cloud on the weekend.
Despite the cooler forecasat, B.C. Hydro reiterated its plea today for the downtown business core to keep a lid on energy consumption after a major transformer blew last week at one of its main substations.
The B.C. Transmission Commission said it is looking at options to repair the 160-tonne transformer, which suffered an internal mechanical failure, or replace it altogether.
A second transformer is handling the load, spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma said, and there is no concern other parts of the province will be affected.
B.C. Hydro spokeswoman Gillian Robinson said consumption was down 8,500 kilowatts today despite the record heat as businesses kicked up their air conditioning a few notches and turned off unncessary lights.
Corporations like the Bentall Centre in downtown Vancouver pulled down blinds and used emergency lighting in the buildings' lobbies, manager Robin Russell said.
Meanwhile, despite a forecast for cooler temperatures, the B.C. Forest Service and Vancouver parks board remain on alert.
Vancouver Parks board chairman Ian Robertson called on Stanley Park users to remain "very vigilant" in the park, where there's a heightened risk of forest fires after so many trees were felled during last winter's storms.
Although the fire risk is at moderate today, Robertson crews are monitoring the wind, humidity and moisture in the air.
If the risk jumps to extreme, barbecues and smoking will be banned in the park.
The B.C. Forest Service has banned open fires in all parks and Crown areas, but the restriction does not extend to campfires at this time.
Spokeswoman Kim Steinbart said there has been 409 fires in the province since April, with 360 caused by people.
According to the ministry's website, a 809-hectare U.S. wildfire three kilometres southwest of the Nighthawk border crossing east of the Similkameen River in Washington State is 25-per-cent contained, while five medium helicopters and 70 personnel are making progress containing a 60-hectare wildfire just south of Mahood Lake about 35 kilometres northwest of Clearwater.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=0a11ffb3-8e37-428a-a4a1-7d4018a8a4a4&k=91176
We're having a heatwave — records melted in 17 areas (6:05 pm)
Temperatures soared to 38.8 C in Chilliwack this afternoon, making the Fraser Valley community the hotspot of B.C. as all-time records for July 11 were broken in 17 communities across the province.
The previous record in Chilliwack, set in 1961, was 36.1 C.
Chilliwack, Victoria (36.3 C) and Abbotsford (37.9 C) recorded the highest temperatures ever for any date in their communities.
Vancouver's highest temperature for today was 28.3 C - below the record of 29.3 C for July 11.
The heatwave, caused by a major ridge of high pressure, sent residents fleeing to local parks and beaches and stocking up on air-conditioning units.
The hot weather packed Vancouver's beaches and pools, but those wanting a dip after work at Spanish Banks, Locarno and Jericho beaches, were warned to steer clear of the water at high tide after 200 logs washed onto shore.
Parks officials said the high tide would make the logs, both single and in bundles of 20 to 30 spires, "extremely dangerous."
"It's a bit of a lifeguard nightmare out there where these logs are," said Glenn Schultz, superviser of beaches and outdoor pools.
The mercury is expected to dip by five to 10 per cent across the province in the next few days as the wind direction shifts, with a forecasted high of 27 C on Thursday and a mix of sun and cloud on the weekend.
Despite the cooler forecasat, B.C. Hydro reiterated its plea today for the downtown business core to keep a lid on energy consumption after a major transformer blew last week at one of its main substations.
The B.C. Transmission Commission said it is looking at options to repair the 160-tonne transformer, which suffered an internal mechanical failure, or replace it altogether.
A second transformer is handling the load, spokeswoman Thoren Hudyma said, and there is no concern other parts of the province will be affected.
B.C. Hydro spokeswoman Gillian Robinson said consumption was down 8,500 kilowatts today despite the record heat as businesses kicked up their air conditioning a few notches and turned off unncessary lights.
Corporations like the Bentall Centre in downtown Vancouver pulled down blinds and used emergency lighting in the buildings' lobbies, manager Robin Russell said.
Meanwhile, despite a forecast for cooler temperatures, the B.C. Forest Service and Vancouver parks board remain on alert.
Vancouver Parks board chairman Ian Robertson called on Stanley Park users to remain "very vigilant" in the park, where there's a heightened risk of forest fires after so many trees were felled during last winter's storms.
Although the fire risk is at moderate today, Robertson crews are monitoring the wind, humidity and moisture in the air.
If the risk jumps to extreme, barbecues and smoking will be banned in the park.
The B.C. Forest Service has banned open fires in all parks and Crown areas, but the restriction does not extend to campfires at this time.
Spokeswoman Kim Steinbart said there has been 409 fires in the province since April, with 360 caused by people.
According to the ministry's website, a 809-hectare U.S. wildfire three kilometres southwest of the Nighthawk border crossing east of the Similkameen River in Washington State is 25-per-cent contained, while five medium helicopters and 70 personnel are making progress containing a 60-hectare wildfire just south of Mahood Lake about 35 kilometres northwest of Clearwater.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=0a11ffb3-8e37-428a-a4a1-7d4018a8a4a4&k=91176
