Brutal heatwave scorches US west, sparking fires and health warnings

A record-breaking heatwave has scorched the US west, the latest in a string of extreme temperature events putting communities on high alert for heat-related illness and death as temperatures are expected to spike higher through the holiday weekend.

More than 50 million Americans live in areas now under excessive heat watches, warnings and advisories. Temperatures are expected to hit 115F (46C) in the coming days across parts of southern California, Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley, according to the National Weather Service. In Death Valley, temperatures were forecast to reach more than 120F (49C) – and perhaps match the highest temperature observed globally in the month of September.

On Wednesday afternoon, heat records for this time of year broke in several California communities, including those near Los Angeles and San Diego. In Burbank and Woodland Hills, a suburb north of Los Angeles, temperatures rose to an alarming 112F (44C) smashing previous August records.

The extreme heat also helped spur new wildfires across the state. The Route fire, which erupted in the triple-digit heat and prompted closures of Interstate 5 as residents in the area were forced to flee. The fire spread quickly, consuming thousands of acres in mere hours. Seven firefighters battling the blaze suffered heat-related injuries according to the Los Angeles county fire department, which added five of them were taken to hospitals for care.