PORTLAND, Maine (WGAN) Emergency officials have tips for staying safe and beating the heat as temperatures soar in Maine.

Maine emergency officials are advising residents to take precautions and stay cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. Meteorologists predict temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees inland and in the lower 90s along the coast. According to CBS 13, Wednesday’s heat is expected to be the most extreme in a decade, since July 2011. Thursday is forecasted to be the last day of extreme heat, with coastal areas reaching highs around 95 degrees and inland areas experiencing temperatures in the upper 90s.

During an appearance on WGAN Wednesday morning, Sean Donaghue from the Portland Fire Department said it’s not a bad idea to limit time outdoors. If you do have to be outside, drink plenty of water, take breaks, and seek shade when possible. People are urged to stay in air-conditioned rooms whenever possible, and check on older friends, family, and neighbors, especially if they don’t have air conditioning. He also says that steps should be taken to help pets stay cool. Other things you can do to keep pets safe are to make sure their water bowls are full, keep them indoors, avoid hot pavement as well as make sure they are properly groomed.

The Portland Fire Department reminds drivers that car interiors can become dangerously hot when temperatures are this high. Drivers should not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles.

To help the area beat the heat, the city is opening a cooling center at the Trouble Ice Arena on Park Ave Wednesday. On Thursday, both the ice arena and the public library on Congress Street will be open as cooling centers. The library is not open Wednesday in observance of Juneteenth.