Environment Canada's forecast is sunshine across the board – image courtesy Environment Canada

Prince George, B.C. – It is going to be a sizzling weekend  in Prince George and the Central Interior.

Environment Canada  Meteorologist Michel Gelinas  says there is a ridge of high pressure building that will  keep the region in the heat and the sun  until late next week.

"I am expecting a few  daily  high temperature records to fall during the week "says  Gelinas.  The  normal daily high  for this is time of the year is 23 degrees.

Lots of heat, can  bring lots of problems,  not the least of which is heat illness.  

Northern Health  offers the following  hints to  watch for heat illness:

Rapid breathing, headache, weakness or fatigue, nausea and muscle cramps.

Anyone experiencing these  symptoms should move to a cool environment “They should rest and drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages”  Northern Health advises that if  symptoms worsen or are severe “They should visit  an emergency room or their family doctor.”

Northern Health also offers the following tips to avoid  heat illness:

• Drink lots of water and natural juices, even if you don't feel thirsty.
• Avoid strenuous activity during mid-day when the temperature is at its peak.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun. If you must go out, stay in the shade or wear a hat.
• Apply a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or more if you’re outside shopping or doing errands. Upgrade to SPF 30 if you’ll be out the whole day in direct sun.
• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, and look for waterproof sunscreen if you sweat heavily or plan to swim.
• Use a fan to bring in cooler air from outside. Be sure to use a fan in a room with windows or doors open to the outside.
• Check on relatives, friends and neighbors who live alone, have difficulty caring for themselves, or are immobile to ensure they aren't suffering from the heat.
• Never leave infants, small children or pets in a parked car.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks, as these can cause dehydration.
• If you are taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medication puts you at a higher risk for developing heat related illness.

The dry hot weather also means an increased risk of fires,  so , with the exception of  campfires, there will be no outdoor burning allowed as of noon today  until  further notice.