Copper River Valley and McCarthy under a heat advisory through Sunday, up to 83

It's going to be hot in the Copper River Valley through the weekend, and in a place where most people aren't used to it, that's worth taking seriously.

The National Weather Service has a heat advisory up through Sunday evening for the Central and Southern Copper Valley and McCarthy, with highs of 78 to 83 degrees, warmest along the Edgerton Highway and McCarthy Road. Overnight lows in the 40s should bring some relief.

The main risk is heat illness, especially for people not used to temperatures like these. Forecasters urge residents to drink plenty of fluids, limit strenuous work to early morning or evening, and check on elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbors. Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle, which can turn dangerously hot in about 10 minutes. Anyone without air conditioning can use fans or head to a public building that has it.

Watch for the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and slow down when the day heats up.