(JULY 4, 2025) – The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health (now legally merged) is informing that Environment Canada is forecasting hot, humid weather Saturday, July 5 through Sunday, July 6 for the City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough.

Currently daytime highs are forecasted to reach up to 33°C, with a humidex of 40. Overnight lows are expected to remain above 21°C, providing little relief from the heat. The heat event is expected to end Sunday evening. Surrounding areas, including Northumberland County and the County of Haliburton, may also experience temperatures close to heat warning level and residents are encouraged to take necessary precautions.

The Health Unit is taking protective action by alerting the public of extreme heat events to prevent and reduce heat-related illnesses and direct community response and outreach to at-risk and priority populations. Based on criteria from Environment Canada, the Health Unit will issue the following alerts: 

• Heat Warning: when the daytime temperature is expected to be 31°C or higher, with a minimum overnight low of 20°C or higher, for two (2) consecutive days. A heat warning can also be issued when the humidex is forecast to be 40 or higher for two (2) consecutive days.
• Extending Heat Warning: when the same conditions apply above, but the heat event is expected to last for three or more days in a row. 

Heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can be very dangerous, especially to those most vulnerable to health risks including people who work outdoors, people who are unhoused, elderly and some people with disabilities or chronic diseases, people who are pregnant, and children and infants. Monitor yourself and those around you for signs of heat-related illness and seek medical attention if required. Symptoms of heat stroke include: 

• tiredness and weakness
• dizziness and/or fainting 
• rash 
• nausea or vomiting 
• rapid breathing and headache 
• extreme thirst 
• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine 

If you experience any of these, you should immediately move to a cool place and drink water. If you are caring for someone who has a high body temperature, hot flushed or very pale skin, and is unconscious, confused or has stopped sweating, call 911 immediately. These are signs of heat stroke, which is a medical emergency!

To help reduce your risk of heat-related illnesses during an extreme heat warning:

• Stay hydrated; drink lots of water even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Avoid going out during the hottest time of the day and avoid direct sun.
• Keep your home cooler by closing blinds and curtains, turning off heat-generating lights or appliances, and preparing meals that don’t use your oven.
• Wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing.
• Take a cool bath/shower or cool down with cold, wet towels.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor physical activity.
• If your home feels too hot, plan to spend some time in a cool, public space.
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.
• Pay attention to how you feel and check-in with others (i.e., family and neighbours).
• Contact your local municipality to ask about designated public cooling centres or visit public spaces such as libraries or malls that are air conditioned, or local beaches and splash pads.

Extreme heat events have been increasing in the context of climate change, and our region is at health risk of extreme heat as shared in the Climate Change and Vulnerability Health Assessments from the HKPR District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health.

Extreme heat can be dangerous. Knowing how to prepare and keep cool will help you stay safe and healthy. Find more information, tips, resources and active local heat alerts at hkpr.on.ca/Heat or peterboroughpublichealth.ca/ExtremeHeat.

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