The thermometer in Bogalusa Tuesday afternoon read 104 degrees. That was the actual temperature. It felt more like 110.

Relentless heat and stifling humidity have combined to make being outside or even inside enclosed, un-air conditioned spaces dangerous and possibly deadly early this week.

Local officials advise everyone to stay cool, keep hydrated and forget about burning any trash or yard debris.

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The state Fire Marshal issued a burn ban Tuesday morning, and Bogalusa Fire Chief Richard Moody followed suit.

“In this town a lot of people like to clean up and burn,” he said. “People can still barbecue and stuff like that, but no burning trash or debris.”

If the fire department gets a complaint that someone is burning trash, it will “go put it out,” said Moody.

He said the regular BFD controlled burns have also been put on hold.

“I suggest we continue the ban until we get a significant amount of rain,” said Moody.

The Louisiana Office of State Climatology reports that local rainfall totals are way below normal. In Franklinton, the norm for April is 5.42 inches. This year, it got 2.67 inches. The norm for May is 5.95. Only 3.46 inches fell in 2009. June normally brings 5.65 inches of rainfall, and so far this month, less than half an inch has fallen.

The Bogalusa norms are comparable. And although that station has stopped reporting, the nearest, in Sun, shows similar numbers to those from Franklinton.

The area is dry, and it’s expected to stay that way for a while. The current seven day forecast shows no rain through at least Thursday, and the National Weather Service cautions that models show the dangerous conditions could continue through the weekend.

And it’s not only dry. It’s hot and humid.

On Tuesday, temperatures were expected to reach about 101 degrees, with a heat index as high as 105 degrees. By mid-day, those predictions were proven low.

The forecast for Wednesday is worse than the forecast for Tuesday, but not worse than the reality. The temperature is expected to be down a bit, to 100 degrees, but the projected heat index is 108 degrees.

Moody cautions everyone to take care.

“People need to make sure, if they have to get out, to do it in the morning and late evening,” he said. “And everybody should drink plenty of fluids.”

Excessive heat kills by taxing the body beyond its abilities to cool itself, according to the NWS. About 175 Americans die annually from the heat, it says.

Because the elderly and infirm are especially at risk, friends, neighbors and family members are urged to check on them more than usual throughout periods of extreme heat.

Pet owners are also advised to make sure their animals have plenty of water and are as cool as possible.

The current NWS heat advisory covers the eastern portion of Louisiana and extends as far north Minnesota and Wisconsin where the forecast heat indices reflect those in Louisiana. St. Tammany Parish issued a burn ban Tuesday.