The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for a large part of central and south-central Oklahoma. The heat index Tuesday was expected to rise to between 105 and 110 degrees and hold strong into next week.

“We have a stagnant hot air mass hanging out over the central U.S. for the rest of this week,” said NWS meteorologist Wayne Ruff. “There’s not a high probability of a change before Monday or later.”

Ruff said the recent rain is partially to blame for the high heat index values.

“It’s all the water evaporating that’s causing the humidity to combine with these temps and create this condition,” Ruff said. “It very well may come into effect again for Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.”

Weather service officials will evaluate that likelihood today to determine whether to extend the warning.

High heat index values can trigger a rise in heat-related illnesses and medical emergencies, which can be avoided with a few precautionary steps.

“People need to drink plenty of fluids,” said Mercy Ada EMS field training officer Shane Langley. “They need to alternate water and Gatorade to prevent an electrolyte imbalance.”

Langley cautioned against prolonged exposure to high temperatures. He advised those who will be working outdoors to keep a cool rag or cloth handy and place it on the back of their neck or forehead to help combat the heat.

“People need to take frequent breaks if they’re working in the yard or out in the heat,” Langley said. “Just go inside and cool off for a bit, then work a while longer and cool off again.”

Langley also said anyone who becomes dizzy or light-headed needs to seek medical attention immediately.

People aren’t the only ones that need to be checked on during severe heat days. Animal experts warn people to remember their four-legged friends during the heat. Pets and livestock are just as susceptible to the heat as humans.

“Dogs can die in as little as five minutes if they’re left out in the heat,” said Pontotoc Animal Welfare Society Board President Sue Thompson. “The same rules that apply to people apply to animals, so don’t forget about them too.”

Thompson warned pet owners against leaving an animal unattended inside a locked car.

“If you leave your animal in a car, animal control and police officers can break windows and remove the animal,” Thompson said. “It’s a felony in Oklahoma.”

Thompson said common sense goes a long way toward keeping people and their pets safe in the summer heat.

Lewis writes for The Ada (Okla.) News