Heat advisory issued for Clark County, Southwest WashingtonFree

The heat returns.

The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a heat advisory for Vancouver, Clark County, Portland and much of Southwest Washington. It also includes the Interstate 5 corridor through the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

The heat advisory is in effect from noon today through 10 p.m. Thursday.

Temperatures in the area are expected in the upper 90s. The National Weather Service said overnight lows are expected to stay near 70 degrees, offering little relief.

Additionally, fire danger will be high.

“Another concern we’re monitoring – fire danger will be high, particularly with the dry, hot, and unstable conditions WED – THU,” the National Weather Service in Seattle said on Twitter. “Additional rounds of high fire danger will be possible as we remain warm and dry. Avoid activities that could cause a spark!”

Avoid heat sickness

If you’re planning to visit blooming corpse flower Titan VanCoug at WSU Vancouver, take extra water, wear sunscreen and make sure to bring a hat.

NWS Portland advises residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

CRESA maintains and updates a list of cooling centers around Clark County. The list can be found on the CRESA blog.

The above-average temperatures come after the Pacific Northwest experienced a record six consecutive days of 90-plus degrees at the end of July. Officials in Oregon and Washington are investigating more than dozen deaths potentially caused by hot weather during that heat wave.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.