The heat wave persists on Thursday with a new amber warning for temperatures and red for forest fires.

There is also a high concentration of dust in the atmosphere which will subside by Sunday.

Winds will be light and variable, force 3 on the Beaufort scale, becoming gradually south-westerly to north-westerly, light to moderate, and force 3 to 4.

The sea will be slightly rough.

The temperature will rise to around 43 degrees inland, 35 in the east, 34 on the west and north coasts, and 31 degrees in the western and northern coastal areas, as well as in the higher mountains.

The amber warning is in place from 12 noon till 5 pm.

The labour department has banned working outdoors between 10 am and 4 pm.

The Forestry Department reiterates warnings and calls for extreme caution during outings.

It urges people to avoid using machinery or tools that could cause a fire.

The department reminds us that lighting fires outside designated areas is strictly prohibited until October.

It has also closed off roads leading to forest areas as a precautionary measure.