10:15 AM PDT on Friday, August 5, 2005

By ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff

A heat advisory for parts of Oregon and Washington remains in effect until Friday evening despite waning heat.

AP

Alex Medina, 11, in yellow, attempts to avoid the spray from a water hose, as kids play in the water during the Park Program summer camp Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005, at Highland Park in Salem.

"It's cooler today, but not exactly cool. That's how you sum up the Willamette Valley forecast in one sentence," said KGW meteorologist Bruce Sussman.

He predicted that temperatures in the Willamette Valley will reach the low 90s.

Elsewhere, the Columbia River Gorge was expected to hit the low 90s on the west end and triple digits on the east end, Sussman said.

Triple digits were also expected in eastern Oregon. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the Gorge and much of eastern Oregon and Washington, from The Dalles to Walla Walla, that remained effect until 8 p.m. Friday.

As usual, the coast will be the coolest part of the state, with highs in the 60s on Friday, according to Sussman.

Thursday was the hottest day of the year in the Portland metro area and the Columbia River Gorge, meteorologists said. The Dalles reached 103, Medford hit 102 and Pendleton topped out at 100.

The heat will start to slowly release its grip over the weekend, Sussman said.

AP

Nick Laford, 25, of Portland, is seen cooling off in a fountain in downtown Portland on Thursday.

The average temperature for this time of year is about 81 degrees.

Tips for dealing with heat:

--Drink more fluids regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. However, if your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him or her how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

--Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar (these cause dehydration). Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

--Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

--Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

--Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

--Never stay or leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

If you must be out in the heat:

--Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

--Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.

--Try to rest often in shady areas.

--Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (it also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

The above tips were provided by the Centers for Disease Control.

Tips for protecting your pet:

-- Keep water bowls full of cool, fresh water

--Provide shaded areas for pet to rest in

--Use a misting hose to provide a cool area for a pet while outside

--Use a kiddy pool for dogs to splash and play in

--Exercise animals in the cool of the morning or at dusk, not during heat of the day

--Do not leave pet unattended outside when it gets too hot.

--Leave your pet at home when you are running errands.

These tips are courtesy of the Oregon Humane Society.