Clark County will be under an excessive heat watch starting Thursday, says NWS PortlandFree

Clark County, Southwest Washington much of the Interstate 5 corridor in Oregon will be under an excessive heat watch starting Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Portland.

The heat watch runs Thursday afternoon — the Fourth of July — through Sunday evening.

The weather service warns of dangerously hot conditions for the Portland-Vancouver area with temperatures reaching 102 degrees.

Clark County Public Health advises residents to stay indoors in an air-conditioned location if possible, drink lots of non-alcoholic fluids and wear lightweight clothing and sunscreen.

Do not leave young children, older people or pets in parked vehicles.

“Temperatures can rise rapidly in parked vehicles, even with the windows rolled down,” Public Health says on its website.

A list of cooling centers can be found at 211info.org.

The hot temperatures will increase fire danger, according to officials. Make sure to set off fireworks in a safe manner and to dispose of them properly.