An extended spell of summer heat over the Southern Interior has prompted a heat warning from Environment Canada.

Temperatures reaching 35 to 40 degrees will continue in the region.

A prolonged stretch of well above normal temperatures will continue for the southwestern interior and expand into the Okanagan, Boundary and Kootenay Lake regions as a ridge of high pressure remains anchored offshore.

This period of hot weather will persist into early next week. Daily high temperatures will reach the mid to upper 30s for most sectors and up to 40 C in the Fraser Canyon.

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors, but extreme heat does affect everyone.

Environment and Climate Change Canada and Medical Health Officers are reminding people to take precautions to protect themselves from the heat, including:

• Stay hydrated by drinking cold beverages, preferably water.
• Spend time in an air-conditioned facility for at least several hours every day.
• Avoid sunburn by staying in the shade and using sunscreen with SPF 30 or more.
• Never leave people or pets in a parked car