The temperature is too hot for several local events which have been forced to cancel.

Downtown Sounds has been cancelled tonight, which would have seen the Young'Uns play in Civic Park.

The Polson Artisan Market has also cancelled a special Squires Happy Hour Market planned for Saturday, July 20 "due to the heat."

And the Okanagan Landing Stationhouse Museum will be closed July 19, 20 and 21.

The heat has reached record-breaking levels several times in the past two weeks.

It was another scorcher Wednesday, July 17, as temperatures reached 39 degrees Celsius and broke a record.

The old record of 36.9 was set in 2018.

And it's not cooling off for several days.

Environment Canada is forecasting highs of 37 Thursday (July 18) and 36 Friday (July 19). There is a 30 per cent chance of showers for both days with possible thunderstorms Friday afternoon.

The mercury will rise further Saturday and Sunday, reaching 38 and 39, respectively.

A mix of sun and cloud is forecast Monday through Wednesday, when temperatures will drop from 37 on July 22 to 33 Tuesday and 30 on July 24.

Interior Health is reminding people to be safe as prolonged  from Environment and Climate Change Canada continue across the Interior Health region and temperatures in many areas are increasing heading into the weekend.

"While the province has not declared an extreme heat emergency for this region, the risk of heat-related illness increases with elevated temperatures," according to Interior Health. "With prolonged periods of hot temperatures, it is important to monitor indoor temperatures as well as take precautions when spending time outdoors."

IH issued a public service announcement Thursday, July 18 outlining some tips on preparing for and responding to hot weather.

• If you have air conditioning at home, make sure it is in good working order. 
• If you do not have air conditioning at home: 
• Find somewhere you can cool off on hot days. Consider places in your community to spend time indoors such as libraries, community centres, movie theatres or malls. Also, as temperatures may be hotter inside than outside, consider outdoor spaces with lots of shade and running water.  
• Close windows, curtains and blinds during the heat of the day to block the sun and prevent hotter outdoor air from coming inside. Open doors and windows when it is cooler outside to move that cooler air indoors.  
• Ensure that you have a working fan, but do not rely on fans as your primary means of cooling. Fans can be used to draw cooler late-evening, overnight and early-morning air indoors.  
• Keep track of temperatures in your home using a thermostat or thermometer. Sustained indoor temperatures over 31 C can be dangerous for people who are susceptible to heat. 
• If your home gets very hot, consider staying with a friend or relative who has air conditioning, if possible. 

• Identify people who may be at high risk for heat-related illness. If possible, help them prepare for heat and plan to check in on them.  

Who is most at risk? 

It is important to monitor yourself, family members, neighbours and friends during hot weather. Consider developing a check-in system for those who are at high risk of heat-related illness.  

Everyone is at risk of heat-related illness, but hot temperatures can be especially dangerous for: 

• Older Adults 
• People who live alone  
• People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety  
• People with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease  
• People with substance use disorders  
• People with limited mobility and other disabilities 
• People who are marginally housed  
• People who work in hot environments  
• People who are pregnant  
• Infants and young children 

Your health: 

• Drink plenty of water and other liquids to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty. 
• Spray your body with water, wear a damp shirt, take a cool shower or bath or sit with part of your body in water to cool down.  

• Take it easy, especially during the hottest hours of the day.  
• When outside, stay in the shade and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. 
• Take immediate action to cool down if you are overheating. Signs of overheating include feeling unwell, headache and dizziness. Overheating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 
• Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, severe headache, muscle cramps, extreme thirst and dark urine. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should immediately seek a cooler environment, drink plenty of water, rest, use water to cool your body and monitor your symptoms.  
• Signs of heat stroke include loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting and very dark urine or no urine. Heat stroke is a medical emergency 鈥� call 911. 

In the event of any medical emergency, call 911. However, it is important to use 911 responsibly to avoid overwhelming the system.  

When to call 911: 

• In cases of heat stroke: loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine. 
• In general: when there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe burns, choking, convulsions that are not stopping, a drowning, a severe allergic reaction, a head injury, signs of a stroke, signs of an overdose or a major trauma. 

If you have a less urgent health issue: 

• You can call HealthLinkBC at 811 and speak with a nurse or go to an urgent care centre or clinic if you can do so safely. That way, our emergency medical dispatch staff and paramedics will be available for people who need their services the most. 
• There are also online tools at , including a 鈥淐heck Your Symptoms鈥� tool.