British Columbia could get swelteringly hot this summer again. A recent report from the Farmers’ Almanac, an annual publication that has predicted U.S. and Canadian weather since its founding in 1818, forecasts a “sizzling summer” in Western Canada by mid summer, with highs of up to 35° C being common by late July. Although the report does not mention the possibility of a heat wave as deadly as the one last year, these temperature predictions are still considerably higher than the average just several years ago.

The Almanac’s predictions come after 2021’s deadly heat wave, which lasted from late June to the first week of July. Being among the most statistically extreme weather events globally anywhere, the 2021 heat wave saw 600 deaths in BC alone, largely due to a lack of preparation against a climate disaster exacerbated by global warming. With a peak temperature of 49.6° C in the BC village of Lytton, setting a record for Canada, these heat waves are both deadly and destructive. No where is that more evident than the tale of the Lytton fires.

On June 30, 2021, only a day after setting the record-high temperature, a wildfire began in Lytton; the fire ultimately destroyed over 90% of the village. Worse, a report from the Institute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction published in May 2022 found that the wildfire’s destruction was inevitable and could not have been stopped, even if there was a timelier response from fire trucks and more immediate assistance. With citizens unprepared and very few mitigation strategies against heat wave-induced disasters, the report further recommends 33 suggestions on ways to limit such damage in the future.

Because suffocatingly hot temperatures are forecasted for BC this summer and because last year’s summer season showed the extent to which disaster could be spelled, it is more important than ever to address what British Columbians can do this year to better prepare. For rural communities, separating flammables, such as firewood, from main buildings should be done, and maintaining a safe height of grass and weeds in lawns would minimize the risk of fires spreading at the rate they did in Lytton last year. For urban British Columbians, making use of local community cooling centers, wearing light clothing, staying hydrated, and, if possible, acquiring air conditioning or a fan are all suggestions to stay safe. However, the usage of air conditioning may be a double-edged sword—despite there being a shortage in AC units last year, BC Hydro broke energy usage records three days in a row during the heat wave’s peak, which, ultimately, only further contributes to the root cause of these extreme weather events in the first place: climate change.

Although summer can definitely be an exciting season to look forward to, we must learn from last year to minimize the excessive number of deaths and damages to our communities. By adopting the strategies suggested by these reports and making the appropriate preparations, British Columbians may have a summer to enjoy in the coming months.