Heat event continues across northwestern Ontario and far north

Environment Canada issued a number of heat warnings across northwestern Ontario on Tuesday morning as a "heat event" continues into its second day. 

The agency warns of temperatures reaching 29 C combined with overnight lows near 18 degrees over the next 3 days, with humidex values making it feel like it's 37.

"Extreme heat can affect everyone's health," reads the warning issued by Environment Canada.

"The health risks are greater for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people, people with physical or mental illnesses, and people with disabilities or mobility issues."

Areas affected by the heat event include Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Ear Falls, Red Lake, Pickle Lake and Sioux Lookout.

A number of First Nations are also under the heat warning, including Wunnummin Lake, Pikangikum, Sandy Lake, Deer Lake, Poplar Hill, Cat Lake and Weagamow Lake.

The heat event is expected to continue through much of the week, but a cooler air mass is expected to settle in over the region by Thursday night.

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperatures or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Environment Canada is advising people to drink plenty of water, even before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration.

WATCH | Could a naming system bring more awareness about heat safety:

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Edmonton has just experienced back-to-back heat waves, raising concerns that the risks of extreme heat aren't taken seriously enough. CBC’s Stephanie Cram breaks down a growing movement to name and categorize heat waves in a similar way to hurricanes, in order to raise more awareness about heat safety.

Despite warm temperatures in the region, the forest fire hazard across the northwest is still a mixed bag.

According to Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, the hazard ranges from low to high right across the region.

There is also a pocket of extreme Hazard in the Kenora sector, covering Poplar Lake First Nation.

The hazard is moderate and high in the Red Lake sector and northern ends of the Sioux Lookout and Greenstone sectors.

The remainder of the region is under a mainly low hazard with some scattered pockets of moderate and high hazard through the Kenora sector and along the international border.

Extreme heat and minimal precipitation can dry out the landscape, increasing the forest fire risk.