The Extreme Heat Warning that has gripped the Las Vegas Valley since Thursday is set to expire at 8 p.m. Monday, July 27.

Dog owners should not lower their guard, because forecasters say an even hotter stretch is building for the end of this week and into August.

After a short dip early next week, temperatures are expected to climb toward 115 degrees by Saturday, August 2, reports FOX5 Las Vegas. T

he National Weather Service warns of major to extreme heat risk across the region, with numerous daily records in jeopardy.

Highs are forecast at 111 degrees Tuesday, 110 degrees Wednesday, and 112 degrees Thursday. The heat then intensifies, with the next round of dangerous conditions expected from July 31 through August 2.

Overnight lows are staying in the upper 80s and low 90s, well above the seasonal average. That matters for dogs, because pavement and enclosed outdoor spaces get little chance to cool before the next day begins.

Asphalt in direct Las Vegas sun can reach 160 degrees when the air hits triple digits, and a dog’s paw pads can burn in under a minute.

Press the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds, and if you cannot hold it there, it is too hot for your dog.

Walk dogs before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m., choose grass over asphalt, and carry water on every outing.

Watch for heavy panting, drooling, stumbling, or a dog that suddenly stops and refuses to move, because those are warning signs of heat stress rather than rest breaks.

Never leave a dog in a parked vehicle, even briefly, since interior temperatures can turn deadly within minutes.

For more on the warning now ending, see our coverage of the Extreme Heat Warning that ran Thursday through Monday, and for practical advice, read our conversation with Dr. Espinosa on summer heat safety.

Southern Nevada shelters, including The Animal Foundation, typically see summer intake rise as dogs escape yards and doors during the hottest stretches.

A single afternoon on unshaded pavement can put a lost dog in serious danger.

The current warning ends tonight, but with highs pushing 115 degrees just days away, the safest routine is the one that assumes the heat is not finished with the valley yet.