Temperatures continued to soar across the Prairies on Tuesday, fuelling two large forest fires in Manitoba's north, the smoke forcing hundreds of people from their homes.

Fire crews from B.C. are heading to the region that's currently sweltering under hot, dry conditions. Scores of people are being flown out as one blaze has crept to within three kilometres of Tadoule Lake, a remote community about 240 kilometres west of Churchill, Man.

Forecasters are predicting more severe weather in the coming days for Manitoba, with thunderstorms and the possibility of tornados.

Meanwhile, Alberta, Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario residents also cooked as temperatures crept up to 15 C above seasonal averages. In south-central Saskatchewan, temperatures have been topping 30 C daily since July 18.

Regina was hardest hit on Tuesday, with residents having to brave 48 C heat with the humidity factored in. Demand for air conditioning units in the city is so high that stores are constantly selling out.

"We can't get them in fast enough," said Canadian Tire East manager Brian Shepherd. "Last weekend we sold out Sunday afternoon and they are on back order."

Even industrial-strength air conditioners are packing it in, simply incapable of dealing with the furnace-like weather and boiling humidity.

"Right now we're exceeding the design temperatures for Regina by several degrees," Craig Nelson, manager for Trane Heating and Air Conditioning, told CTV Regina.

The insatiable appetite for air conditioning is also taking its toll on the power grid, as a record peak for generation was hit on Monday of almost 2,900 megawatts.

"The good news is, temperatures are forecast to drop by about ten degrees in the next day or so. But they are expected to be back above 30 degrees by the weekend," said CTV Regina reporter Jason Matity.

While this heat wave hasn't been deadly so far, emergency officials are warning it's a dangerous one. Volunteer workers handing out bottled water in many communities.

In Saskatoon, the Red Cross is urging people to stay indoors to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Further, people should "wear a hat, wear light, loose clothing and to avoid activity that is going to make you too tired and too hot," said Jen Pederson of the Red Cross. "Take frequent breaks in the shade and of course, remember to drink lots of water."

Farmers across the prairies, meanwhile, complain the relentless heat is damaging their fields. Their crops run the risk of ripening prematurely, resulting in lower yields for the season.

The heat that has descended over the prairies is part of a larger system blanketing most of the U.S., with forest fires sparking in the west and heat warnings in the east.

With reports from CTV's Jill Macyshon and CTV affiliates in Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg