COEUR d'ALENE - With temperatures expected to reach 106 degrees on Sunday, Coeur d'Alene's last June Ironman is expected to be the hottest race on record.

But that record might not last long after Ironman is moved to Aug. 21 in 2016.

Ironman announced Wednesday that it has extended its contract with Coeur d'Alene through the year 2020, and a new Ironman half-triathlon will be held in Coeur d'Alene on June 26, 2016. The half-triathlon will follow the same course as the full Ironman race, but athletes will only complete one loop on each of the three disciplines.

Race organizers and the healthcare community announced on Wednesday they are preparing for the worst on Sunday due to the weather but hoping for the best.

In a joint press release issued Wednesday by Kootenai Health, Providence Healthcare, Panhandle Health District and Spokane Regional Health District, Ironman and HoopFest, organizers offer the public tips on how to spot dehydration and heatstroke before they become life-threatening.

"I think we have a general warning for everyone," said Dr. Kevin Chang, medical director for Ironman 2015. "Hopefully we can pre-empt anything from happening."

Chang said the medical community in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene has been meeting with event organizers to warn athletes, volunteers and spectators about the potential for heat-related illnesses.

"This really hasn't been an issue in the past," he said. "Most of the time the hottest it gets is in the 80s, but we had one year when it got into the 90s - but nothing like this."

Lisa Aitken, community relations coordinator for Kootenai Health, said the medical community feels it is important to inform the community with things they can do to take care of themselves during the heat wave.

While athletes and volunteers will have extra water and shade provided for them, Aitken said the spectators and even people who don't attend the race should make sure they have enough water throughout the day.

"Our bodies are not acclimated to these high temperatures," she said, adding that it could be a problem for elderly or homebound people who don't have air conditioning.

Aitken said Kootenai Health is highly sensitive and prepared for the high temperatures, but the emergency department can only handle so many people at once.

Dr. Chang said people need to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and drink lots of liquids, but avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Two to four glasses of water or juice per hour is recommended. That equates to 16 to 32 ounces of liquids per hour.

He said the worst part of the day will be from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. During those times people should seek out shaded areas and find air conditioned buildings such as restaurants, shopping malls and movie theaters to cool down if they start getting too hot.

Heatstroke is a potentially fatal emergency, according to the release issued Wednesday, and it requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include a body temperature of 104 degrees, a change in behavior such as confusion, lightheadedness, dry and flushed skin, no sweating, racing or slowing pulse rate and unconsciousness.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include lightheadedness, weakness, nausea and fainting. People with heat exhaustion may feel uncoordinated, perhaps thirsty and sweat a lot. People with these symptoms should seek out a cool place to rest, stay out of direct sunlight, drink plenty of fluids, and wash off will cool water if possible.

Chang said while a medical tent will be set up downtown for athletes and volunteers, the public could use it too if they cannot transport themselves to the emergency room.

"There will be EMS personnel there," he said.