Worsening heat wave sparks wildfire concerns

• The worsening heat wave in the western U.S. has created dangerous conditions that sparked concerns over possible power outages and wildfires.
• Excessive heat warnings have been placed for several states that are projected to see temperatures reaching over 100 degrees.
• High temperatures are expected to continue through the nighttime.

The western United States has been experiencing an intensifying heat wave this week, leading to the worst drought in the last two decades. The dry terrain also sparks concerns over potentially severe wildfires and power outages.

Excessive heat warnings have been placed in states that could see temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Record temperatures reaching over 120 degrees are expected in Nevada and Arizona.

The heat has caused severe drought in more than three-fourths of the West, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported.

These conditions make up a “perfect storm” for fires and poor air quality, warned Rupa Basu, chief of air and climate epidemiology for the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

Alexander Gershunov, a research meteorologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, stated, “Heat waves are boosted by the steroids of climate change and increasingly more likely to break records.”

Humidity will also make thunderstorms more likely, which could lead to lightning strikes that start fires, added Gershunov.

It will be harder for people to cool off with high temperatures and humidity continuing through the night.

Basu advised, “During peak hours, conserve energy, avoid excessive time outdoors especially doing strenuous activity or exercising, drink plenty of water, walk [or] bike instead of using cars for transportation if possible.”

Texas and California grid operators have urged residents to limit electricity use to avoid blackouts this week. Power plants in Texas have already experienced mechanical issues due to high temperatures, just four months after the power outages caused by the winter storm.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 33 large blazes have already burned over 360,000 acres in 10 states as of Wednesday. A high supply of dry brush, combined with hot and dry temperatures, can easily spark wildfires.

Global warming has made each decade hotter than the last, with 2020 being the hottest year on record, tied with 2016.

The Southwest U.S. has also seen a decades-long megadrought, which led to drastically lower lake and river levels and groundwater availability.

Source: CNBC