It's going to get hotter than hell this weekend.

No, we aren't speaking figuratively. With highs expected to kiss the century mark here, denizens of the underworld will batten hatches so hades doesn't overheat.

Pity the Ironman contestants and pray for their poorly hydrated souls. Show concern too for the spectators who might be tempted to sip suds or margaritas before taking in the show, only to subject themselves to heat stroke and other nasty consequences.

If ever there was a weekend to use your brain, this is one. And next weekend is another.

With soaking, soothing rains about as likely as Ironman contestants suffering hypothermia, the tinderbox that is North Idaho eagerly awaits knuckleheads with more fireworks than common sense. There's no shortage of knuckleheads or fireworks, by the way, which raises a blaring alarm.

Our region is suffering under severe drought conditions. No rain plus furnace-like heat plus windy conditions equals - well, we referred to it in the opening sentence. Year after year as the Fourth of July approaches, law enforcers and sleepless citizens ask folks to be smart with their celebratory booms, bangs and flashes. This year law enforcers should show zero tolerance for stupidity, because it takes no imagination to conceive of dozens of potentially devastating fires in our forests, grasslands and, yes, even in our neighborhoods.

We can inspire Ironman competitors and we can celebrate our nation's birthday without hurting ourselves and others. Let's have a blast during these inferno-like days without being blasted nitwits.