As people line up to enjoy a splashpark, a Salvation Army EMS vehicle acts as a cooling station. This is in Calgary, Alberta on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Environment Canada warns that the heat wave that has swept across much of Western Canada will not subside for several days. Credit: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via APMore deaths are being linked with the heat wave in the Pacific Northwest over the past week. Medical staff treating patients who were overwhelmed by extreme temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius), said that the death toll from this extreme weather will continue to climb.In Oregon, Washington state, and British Columbia, hundreds of deaths have been investigated because of heat-related causes. The deadly heat started on June 25, and it only subsided in certain areas on Tuesday.According to the state medical examiner, Oregon has seen at least 79 deaths. Most of these deaths occurred in Multnomah County which includes Portland. One of the victims was a Guatemalan immigrant, who died while working in a plant nursery in rural Oregon during the high heat.Lisa Lapointe of British Columbia, Canada's chief coroner said that her office received reports about at least 486 "sudden, unexpected deaths" between June 25, and Wednesday. Normally, she estimated that about 165 people would be killed in the province within five days. Although it was not possible to determine how many deaths are due to heat, she said that most were likely caused by it.Washington authorities have connected about 30 deaths to heatwaves, and more are coming in every day."I believe that over time we will understand the numbers are only going up," Dr. Steve Mitchell, Director of Harborview Medical Center's Emergency Medicine Department, Seattle. "I have seen EMS colleagues experience twice the number of calls that day and I know that I expect to see more," said Mitchell.A sign that asks your dog if they need water. We want to know! This image was taken Monday, June 28, 2021 at Yakima Community Aid's cooling tower in Yakima (Wash.). Credit: Amanda Ray /Yakima Herald Republic via APAccording to the Washington State Department of Health, there were 1,792 visits to emergency rooms for heat-related illnesses since June 25th. 21% of those visits required admission to the hospital.Monday saw 702 emergency room visits, according to the health department. The heat wave's hottest day was in many parts of the country, with Seattle, Portland and other cities breaking all-time heat records. It was 108 F (42 C), in Seattle, and at 116 F (47) for Oregon's largest city.Mitchell stated that the latest heat emergency was caused by COVID. Mitchell agreed.Forecasters blamed the temperature spikes of more than 30 degrees above the normal for a "heat dome", which parked strong high pressure systems over the region. The temperature dropped significantly in Oregon and Washington by Tuesday, but a heat advisory was still in place for parts of Canada and the Northwest.Spokane's firefighter Sean Condon and Lt. Gabe Mills (both assigned to the Alternative Response Unit at Station 1) check on the well-being of a man in Mission Park, Spokane. Tuesday, June 29, 2021. During this heatwave, the special fire unit, which is responsible for responding to calls of low priority, was kept busy. Credit: Colin Mulvany/Thespokesman-Review via APAs people line up to enjoy a splashpark, a Salvation Army EMS vehicle acts as a cooling station. Environment Canada warns that the heat wave that has swept across much of Western Canada will not subside for several days. Credit: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via APFarmworkers who refused to be identified, remove earth from their fields, on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near St. Paul (Ore.), as heat waves bake the Pacific Northwest at record-high temperatures. Credit: AP Photo/Nathan HowardPedro Lucas, left is the nephew of Sebastian Francisco Perez, a farm worker who was killed last weekend in extreme heat while trying to save his land. Credit: AP Photo/Nathan HowardJaecee Adams (7 years old) of Orofino sees water crashing from a bucket on her head as she plays at Orofino Splash Pad, Orofino. Credit: August Frank/The Lewiston Tribune via APLeighanna Bardgett (7 years old) splashes Jessuah (right), as they cool down in the Bitterroot River.This aerial photo, taken from a helicopter on Thursday, July 1, 2021, shows structures that were destroyed by wildfires in Lytton (British Columbia). As relatives searched desperately for information about evacuees, a wildfire that caused people to flee a small British Columbia town that had seen record-breaking temperatures in Canada three days consecutively set new highs on Thursday was out of control. Credit: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via APAs temperatures reached 100 degrees in Missoula (Montana), on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, patrons of the Bitterroot River jumped into the cool waters. Credit: AP Photo/Tommy MartinoKais Bothe enjoys the cool of the city hall pool as the temperature reaches 37 degrees Celsius in Edmonton (Alberta) on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Credit to Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via APFarmworkers who refused to be identified, break up the ground near St. Paul (Ore.) as a heatwave bakes the Pacific Northwest at record-high temperatures. Credit: AP Photo/Nathan HowardExperts believe that the heat is a sign of climate change, as it affects global weather patterns.California's upper reaches were hit by an extraordinary heat wave that raged into the highlands. Many wildfires flared in the dry, hot conditions. It was difficult for firefighters to put out the flames that drove thousands of people from their mountain homes and destroyed many houses.Continue reading: Hundreds of people believed to have died in the heat wave despite all efforts to help2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Without permission, this material may not be broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
