An extreme heat wave in the United States has caused record temperatures, warnings have been issued to around 130 million people and concerns about wildfires have increased.
San Francisco saw the thermometer reach a scorching 47°C (117°F) over the weekend, while Las Vegas hit a high of 46°C, a high last reached in 2007.
Phoenix recorded 45.5°C, just shy of the record of 46.7°C set in 1942.
Photo: Reuters
The National Weather Service said it was extending the excessive heat warning to much of the Southwest.
The agency in Las Vegas said: “A dangerous and historic heat wave is just beginning in the area, with temperatures expected to peak during the Sunday to Wednesday period.”
Even in the most temperate parts of the country (the Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast) temperatures were forecast to exceed 100°F (38°C).
More extreme highs are also expected.
Temperatures are expected to reach 129°F (53.8°C) on Sunday at the aptly named Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, California, and rise to 54.4°C on Wednesday.
The highest temperature ever officially recorded on Earth was 56.67 °C (134 °F) in July 1913 in Death Valley, although some experts dispute that measurement and say the actual record was 54.4 °C, reached there in July 2021.
The eastern United States is also bracing for higher temperatures.
Baltimore and other parts of Maryland were under an excessive heat warning as temperatures were forecast to rise to 43 °C (110 °F).
Crews fight fire amid heat wave
A National Weather Service advisory for the Baltimore area said: “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check on family and neighbors.
“Small children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles under any circumstances.”
Extreme weather conditions have fueled wildfires in California. Photo: AP
A helicopter drops water in an attempt to put out the flames of an advancing fire. Photo: AP
The sweltering temperatures have also caused deaths.
In Arizona’s Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, at least 13 heat-related deaths have been confirmed this year, and another 160 are under investigation.
This figure does not include the death of a 10-year-old boy last week in Phoenix who suffered a “heat-related medical event” while walking with his family.
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Wildfires in California have also been fueled by dry conditions and high temperatures.
Firefighters have used planes and helicopters to drop water and retardants in an attempt to combat the fires.
In Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles, a fire has burned through an area of more than 19 square miles (49 square kilometers).
Crews said the fire was showing “extreme fire behavior” and had “high growth potential” due to weather conditions.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
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