Heat will challenge record high temps

EUGENE, Ore. - The heat is on: Forecast highs this week will rival or beat records as the Northwest sizzle through a hot spell.

The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning for western Oregon from Thursday afternoon through Friday night. Forecasters said temperatures will range from the mid-90s to 103 degrees in different locations.

At that rate, records could fall: the current forecast high for Eugene on Thursday is 101, which would match the current record.

Friday's record high is 97, just a degree above the forecast of 96.

If you plan to be outside during the heat, take precautions to avoid heat-induced illness - and know the symptoms of heat stroke so you can recognize them in yourself or others.

And if you need to cool off, try heading to a public place with air conditioning or head for one of Lane County's swimming holes.

If you do, use caution: heat can be deadly, but many Northwest fatalities during heat waves happen in and around bodies of water, the weater service cautioned.