DTES outreach team hands out cold drinks, sunscreen as heat wave grips B.C.

Temperatures are being punished well into the 30s in many parts of the province, putting vulnerable people at risk.

As a heat wave settles over the province, officials are urging people to stay inside, but for many in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, that isn’t an option.

Every hour, an outreach team at Union Gospel Mission walks through the neighbourhood, checking in on community members.

“Do you want anything to drink?” one team member asked Tuesday, while pushing a cart that offered lemonade and freezies.

Harley, who lives in the neighborhood and didn’t share his last name, told CTV News he’s worried how some of the older residents will fare.

“A couple of them had heatstroke there last week,” he said.

“They’re on the 300 block (of Hastings Street), so I’m a little worried because this is just too much for them.”

While much of the province saw temperatures hit or exceed 30 degrees Tuesday, conditions in the Downtown Eastside can feel five to 10 degrees hotter, according to Nicole Mucci, the communications manager with Union Gospel Mission.

Mucci said it’s due to an urban environment that lacks shade and green space to absorb heat.

“It’s humid, it’s sticky. It doesn’t feel good,” she said.

“And then if you’re also experiencing homelessness, or struggling with addiction on top of it, your immune system is significantly lower, so that can put you in quite a bit more danger.”

‘Some relief’

Heat warnings issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada cover much of Vancouver Island, Whistler, the Interior and the Fraser Valley.

“For the next three to four days, we don’t really see things breaking,” said Matt Loney, a meteorologist with the organization.

Loney said a cooling trend will move through the province Thursday.

“We’ll see some relief,” he said.

“The winds are going to be blowing more from the ocean.”

He encouraged people to stay inside, but for those who can’t, outreach teams like the one at Union Gospel Mission say they’ll keep doing their rounds, offering help to anyone who wants it.