Saskatchewan feeling the heat as the province tries to stay cool

It is hot across Saskatchewan, with heat warnings from Environment Canada spreading across almost half the province.

When the temperature gets this hot, it’s tough not to be outdoors and enjoy the sun. But Kennedy Pilling was out with her kids, who were doing their best to beat the heat at the splash park at Saskatoon’s River Landing.

“We’re just finding a little bit of shade, and the kids are playing in the water and grabbing some ice cream. Perfect spot down by the river,” Pilling said.

Pilling and her friend Rachel Brewer said they made some adjustments to their day because of the heat, going out in the morning and spending the afternoon in a cool basement.

But even with the heat, many outdoor events are going on across the province, including Taste of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

Vendors are able to dish out meals, but they aren’t always able to escape the heat of the kitchen.

Owen Felske, who was making mini donuts, said the heat isn’t so bad as long as his team works together to give each other breaks, making sure one person isn’t around the hot equipment for too long.

“We just have some water and we switch around,” Felske said.

There are some ups and downs to working at the festival under the heat warnings, at least according to Kunal Makkar, owner of Hunger Cure Restro Bar.

“In the kitchen, you have air conditioning going on, but over here there is nothing,” he said. “But you can actually get some fresh air, so it’s totally different.”

Makkar said he brought along extra fans, just in case.

Erik Nevin was enjoying the sun after taking a bike ride, and said he wasn’t too bothered by the heat.

“It was really nice this morning, not too warm. Cycling through the sun was great,” he said. “Any more than this I will melt, I think.”

Nevin said he will continue enjoying the heat, but plans to stay hydrated and take ice cream breaks.

Forecasts for many places across the province will be at around 30 C for the rest of the week, but Environment Canada said there could be some cooler breaks on Thursday or Friday.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority warned those spending time outside to stay out of the heat by avoiding peak sun hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, wearing appropriate sunscreen and avoiding intense physical exertion.

To read the full list of tips to avoid heat-related illnesses, visit the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s website.