Overview
- A strong heat dome this weekend has placed roughly 40 to 55 million people under heat alerts across the West, with the National Weather Service labeling conditions as 'major' or 'extreme' in many areas.
- Forecasts call for life‑threatening highs — with readings near 48°C in Phoenix, about 46°C in Las Vegas and mid‑30s Celsius in parts of Los Angeles — and overnight lows that will remain unusually warm.
- California activated statewide resources after Governor Gavin Newsom ordered extra crews, fire engines and aircraft and launched a county cooling‑center locator to protect people without air conditioning.
- Parts of Washington and Oregon were raised to an 'extremely critical' (3 of 3) fire‑danger level because drought, heat and wind could make fires spread rapidly, and regional smoke is already affecting air quality.
- Public‑health officials warn the heat will likely increase emergency visits and heat‑related illness among older adults, outdoor workers and people without cool housing, and experts say climate change is raising the frequency and severity of these heat extremes.