Key facts
- A heat wave is causing record-breaking temperatures across the Western U.S.
- Wildfire risks are heightened due to the extreme heat and dry conditions.
- Las Vegas, Phoenix, and El Centro, California, are expected to reach or surpass record temperatures.
- Montana is also experiencing record heat, with Great Falls forecast to hit 104F.
- Cooling centers are operational to assist those affected by the heat.
- Washington state has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires exacerbated by heat and wind.
A severe heat wave is gripping large portions of the Western United States, bringing temperatures close to record highs and significantly increasing the risk of wildfires. A 'heat dome' effect is trapping hot air from Arizona to Montana, with dangerous conditions expected to persist through Sunday.
Cities such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and El Centro, California, are forecast to experience extreme temperatures, with El Centro potentially setting a new record. Even parts of Montana are bracing for record-breaking heat. Meteorologists warn that high overnight low temperatures will prevent bodies from recovering, exacerbating the danger.
Cooling centers are being utilized to provide relief, with facilities like The Justa Center in Phoenix seeing hundreds of visitors daily seeking water and respite from the heat. Shelters in Montana are also opening early to accommodate those affected.
The intense heat is compounding existing dry conditions and contributing to an elevated wildfire risk across the region. In Washington state, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency, citing high temperatures, strong winds, and extensive wildfires, and has banned most outdoor burning. The U.S. Forest Service also warns of enhanced wildfire risk in Southern California.
Forecasters note that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense heat waves, which in turn fuel larger and more destructive wildfires. The current El Nino phenomenon is also expected to contribute to global temperature spikes, with this year's El Nino potentially being one of the most intense on record.