A record-breaking heatwave pushing temperatures towards 54°C (130°F) has transformed a 1,000-mile stretch of America into a wildfire tinderbox.
Fresh government warnings are in force as the ‘hottest ever start to summer’ continues to rage across parts of the United States.
AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno warns that intense heat baking parts of the interior West is expected to expand into the Pacific Northwest, raising the risk of heat-related illnesses and fresh wildfires. Temperatures are forecast to soar 10-20 degrees above historical averages in parts of the interior Northwest, challenging daily record high temperatures.
There is a ‘high’ risk for wildfires in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. Violent storms triggered by extreme heat will increase the risk of fires as lightning strikes parched ground. The National Interagency Fire Centre reported 50 large blazes since the start of last week.
The US National Weather Service has issued wildfire alerts across Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Arizona. A spokesman warned that while cooler-than-normal temperatures envelop much of the Heartland, dangerous heat will be a mainstay in the West early this week.
Those in affected areas should stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities, and use fans when air conditioning is not available. Around the edge of the heat dome, battling weather fronts will spark ferocious thunderstorms, with southern states at the highest risk due to a ‘high concentration of moisture’ threatening torrential downpours, according to NOAA.
The fierce heat across America since June is the result of a high-pressure ‘heat dome’ firing the mercury to record levels. A visitor to Death Valley died in 128°F heat over the weekend, highlighting the deadly impact of these extreme conditions.
Jim Dale, US weather correspondent and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’, said that temperatures are going to stay ridiculously high as high pressure remains in place, with 115°F or higher a possibility in this region. This will increase the risk of wildfires spreading once they have started.
Residents in affected areas are urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities, and use fans when air conditioning is unavailable.
With the hottest ever start to summer continuing, the US faces ongoing challenges in battling both the heat and the associated wildfire risks. For more updates on the US heatwave 2024 and safety tips, stay tuned to local news channels and weather forecasts.
