28 January 2026

New Resources for Extreme Heat Mapping Projects

The Fraser Basin Council is pleased to announce two new resources to guide practitioners and communities undertaking extreme heat projects.

Project Background

As climate change intensifies, communities across British Columbia face heightened threats to their health, environment, infrastructure, and agricultural production due to the impacts of extreme heat events. The 2021 ‘Heat Dome’ was a stark example of how extreme heat events disproportionately affect equity-denied populations across rural and urban communities and resulted in significant loss of life, plus millions of dollars of agricultural revenue loss.

Through the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy, the Province of B.C. committed to supporting extreme heat planning and risk reduction measures and, in 2022, increased the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund by an additional $189 million for projects that reduce risk and improve understanding of extreme heat hazards. In 2023, the Fraser Basin Council received funding from EMCR to develop resources for communities engaging in extreme heat mapping projects.

The outcomes of this project included a guidance framework, case study report, and facilitated peer learning and networking through an in-person workshop held in January 2024.

What is an Extreme Heat Map?

An extreme heat map is a dynamic tool that combines data on temperature, sensitivity, and exposure to develop an integrated portrayal of vulnerability to heat. They can be used to

  • develop emergency response plans that protect residents from heat-related illnesses and fatalities,
  • inform urban planning to identify cooling features in structures and recreational spaces,
  • organize stewardship initiatives that safeguard cultural heritage, food sovereignty, and ecosystems, and
  • identify adaptive practices and resource allocation for the agricultural sector.
Communities can leverage extreme heat mapping as a powerful tool for mitigating disaster risk, enhancing resilience, and protecting community well-being in a changing climate. Extreme heat maps can instigate conversations with residents and community organizations about extreme heat and the inequitable distribution of its impacts.

Extreme Heat Mapping Guidance Framework Report

The guidance framework report was designed to be used by diverse audiences such as Indigenous communities, local authorities, public sector organizations, and practitioners to gain confidence in effectively managing an extreme heat mapping project. The report serves as a step-by-step roadmap for how to prepare, develop, and analyze an extreme heat mapping project, and can be applied without requiring extensive background knowledge or technical training.

Throughout the guide, readers are introduced to relevant terminology, data sources, processes, and resources needed to make informed decisions and deliver impactful outcomes using both rural and urban communities as examples.

To understand extreme heat events, the guide provides information about associated impacts on public health, local economies, agriculture, and infrastructure. It also offers details about the B.C. Heat Alert Response System, which designates the criteria required for alerts like heat warnings and extreme heat emergencies throughout regional health authorities.

Critical Role of Communities

First Nations and Indigenous communities  play a critical role in extreme heat mapping as leaders and Knowledge Holders. Deeply connected to the land and waterways, Indigenous Knowledge and science are distinctly valuable for understanding extreme heat risks and cultivating culturally specific solutions informed by traditional governance systems and values.

Community Example: Engaging with Elders in Xeni Gwe’tin

In the Xeni Gwe’tin heat response planning project, staff conducted 1-on-1 interviews with Elders. They visited Elders in their homes to interview them in the language of their choosing, with the help of a translator who spoke Tŝilhqot’in. Elders were able to share their experiences of heat and provide insight on the changes they have noticed over the years. When engaging Elders, it is critical that the people conducting the engagement should know the community and establish a respectful relationship with the Elders.

Extreme Heat Mapping Project Guidance Framework, p.19

Local governments also play a vital role in planning and supporting extreme heat mapping projects in municipal and regional districts, where they can integrate extreme heat mapping into policies and community planning processes. Collaboration which centers First Nations’ Knowledge and leadership both enhances the efficacy of the projects and advances reconciliation through climate adaptation.

Transforming Project Findings

There are many ways that communities can utilize the mapping project outputs from generating reports for decision-makers and policy, to interactive story maps to engage with community members. Extreme heat mapping projects create invaluable community insights that can be applied across a diverse spectrum of programs and initiatives for communities of all sizes and geographies.

Exploring Diverse Approaches to Extreme Heat Mapping: Case Studies and Lessons Learned

In addition to the guidance report, the case study and lessons learned report aims to increase understanding and implementation of best practices in extreme heat mapping by presenting examples both from B.C. and internationally; it intends to bridge the gap between the province’s increasing need for heat mapping and the abundance of experience available internationally. The report is categorized by overlapping themes and the use of quick ‘tags’ to help readers gain a quick overview of key attributes.

Successful case studies engaged their residents in collecting local temperature readings to support the data updating process. Continuous data collection and updates do require significant resources, and communities often face funding and staffing restraints.

Each case study includes a comprehensive overview of the project, methodologies, utility, challenges, and lessons learned. Beyond compiling examples, the report analyzes common challenges and successful strategies across projects and accompanies the guidance framework to support community implementation of extreme heat mapping projects.

For more information and resources regarding extreme heat, visit our Extreme Heat & Water Scarcity Mapping page.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness for this project.

Contact

Jim Vanderwal

Director, Operations and Climate Change Programs

Jim Vanderwal is the Director responsible for Fraser Basin Council Operations and for overseeing the Climate Change and Air Quality Program. He serves on the Executive Team.

Jim has held progressively senior roles at the Council since 1999, developing new initiatives related to river management, stakeholder engagement, energy and emissions planning, climate change adaptation, green fleet management and clean energy development.

Jim was the lead staff person in the development of E3 Fleet, Canada’s green fleet certification program and various other clean transportation initiatives, including Plug in BC, which supports electric vehicle uptake throughout BC. He also has worked extensively with local governments and First Nations to develop and implement clean energy and climate adaptation initiatives.

Jim completed a B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and worked in research and development capacities in the telecommunications sector. He completed a M.Sc. in Resource Management from the University of British Columbia, specializing in the development of public processes that link technical research with broad public engagement.