Victoria Beach, MB

4:48 AM CDT Tuesday 13 May 2025

Daytime highs in the low to mid thirties and overnight lows of 16 degrees or warmer will persist through Wednesday in parts of southern Manitoba. Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. 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. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. 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. Follow the advice of your region’s public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Extreme heat affects everyone. Heat illnesses are preventable. To reduce the health effects of heat: - Take a cool shower or bath or take a break in a cool location, such as an air-conditioned building or a tree-shaded area. - Stay out of direct sunlight and wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat or shade yourself with an umbrella. - Drink plenty of water, before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. If you must go out, take water with you. - Keep your house cool. Block the sun out by closing curtains, blinds, and awnings during the day - Never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle. - Check on family, friends and neighbours. Check regularly on people living alone, especially older individuals or people with health conditions. Make sure they are cool and drinking water. - Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, and the worsening of some health conditions. - Watch for signs of heat stroke (which may begin with headache, hot skin, dizziness or confusion) and take action immediately. For more information: How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat Health risks and who is at risk of extreme heat events For more information on heat and your health: - Visit Manitoba Health at: manitoba.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/heat.html. - Call Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257. For more information specific to workplaces and heat strain, visit safemanitoba.com/News/Pages/Heat-Strain-at-Work-with-Dr.-Denise.aspx. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to MBstorm@ec.gc.ca, call 1-800-239-0484 or post reports on X using #MBStorm.

4:38 AM CDT Tuesday 13 May 2025

Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility. Poor air quality will occur over the next few days from smoke plumes from wildfires in the southern Bissett region. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance. People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool. Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles. If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health. Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution. Always follow guidance from local authorities. Learn more at canada.ca/wildfire-smoke. Visit airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. Issued by Environment Canada and Manitoba Health