Western US prepares for more days of record-breaking heat

WASHINGTON - The western part of the United States is sweating through another round of record-breaking heat as a wave is forecast to produce temperatures above 38 deg C in cities, from southern California to northern Idaho through the middle of the week.

Some 30 million people are under heat advisories or excessive heat warnings in effect through July 24, with some projections topping 43 deg C, said the National Weather Service (NWS) on July 21. Those states include parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Central Oregon and parts of Washington are also under elevated threats of wildfires due to hot and dry weather conditions, the NWS said.

Firefighters are battling multiple wildfires in Oregon, including the Lone Rock Fire that has scorched more than 470 sq km in the northern part of the state, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. About 40 per cent has been contained. Thunderstorms moving through the state could make the response more difficult, officials said.

The Malheur County Sheriff's Office on July 20 ordered some residents to evacuate due to the Durkee Fire spreading in the eastern part of Oregon. In western Canada, wildfires in Alberta and British Columbia also forced evacuations at the weekend.

Research shows fossil fuel-driven climate change is helping to produce dangerous heatwaves across the world. Officials are warning of major health risks associated with extreme heat, including heat stroke.

“At least for the next four days, it looks pretty hot across a good part of the western US, and at least in the next two days, there’s definitely potential for some record-high temperatures across parts of interior Pacific North-west and down towards the desert south-west,” NWS meteorologist Bob Oravec said.

The north-west part of the US will experience the largest weather anomalies, including much of Washington state, where temperatures are 11 degrees higher than usual during this time of the year, according to Mr Oravec. Major cities such as Seattle and Portland will be spared the extreme heat.

Temperatures are forecast to climb above 38 deg C and break records in cities such as Yakima, Spokane and Mack in Washington state. Boise, Idaho could tie a record of 42 deg C, Mr Oravec said.

Much of the West Coast will see temperatures that are about 5.6 degrees above normal. Las Vegas could tie a record of 45 deg C on July 21, while Death Valley National Park in California is expected to rise above 49 deg C.

“For Monday, the records drop off, like the potential to break records, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be any significantly cooler. They’re still going to be well above average across the same general areas,” Mr Oravec said.

On July 20, records were broken in Baker, Oregon, and Alturas, California, he added. REUTERS