Phoenix Breaks Record with 31-Day Heatwave as Wildfires Spread
Phoenix, Arizona has officially experienced a 31-day heatwave, with temperatures reaching at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) each day. This is a new record for the city. While Phoenix faces scorching heat, other parts of the United States are also grappling with extreme temperatures. The National Weather Service predicts that Phoenix will see temperatures climb to 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44.4 degrees Celsius) by the end of the day.
July has proven to be exceptionally hot, leading scientists to calculate that it will be the hottest month ever recorded and the warmest in human civilization’s history. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service declared July as a month that shattered previous heat records.
The heatwave initially struck the lower Southwest U.S. in late June, affecting Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California’s desert regions. As the heatwave persists, wildfires have also been spreading. In California’s Mojave National Preserve, a massive wildfire burned out of control, rapidly expanding due to erratic winds. Firefighters reported progress against another major blaze in Riverside County, which had prompted evacuations.
The York Fire, which erupted near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the Mojave National Preserve, has already charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper, and Joshua tree woodland. The flames, reaching heights of 20 feet (6 meters) in some areas, pose a significant threat due to the dry fuel and extreme fire behavior caused by weather conditions. Fortunately, no structures have been threatened thus far, although containment has not yet been achieved.
To the southwest, the Bonny Fire remains steady at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in the rugged hills of Riverside County. Over 1,300 people were forced to evacuate their homes near the remote community of Aguanga, California. The heatwave is expected to continue in parts of the central San Joaquin Valley until Monday, with temperatures exceeding triple digits.
The effects of the heatwave are not confined to wildfires. In Burbank, California, police responded to a report of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood, discovering the animal taking refuge in a Jacuzzi. Unusual behavior in animals like this may be attributed to the intense summer heat.
As climate change worsens, longer and hotter heatwaves have become a severe threat. Record temperatures across the United States have already resulted in the deaths of several dozen people, with the most vulnerable being the poorest Americans. Air conditioning, once considered a luxury, has now become a matter of survival. Last year, all 86 reported heat-related deaths occurred in uncooled environments.
Kristie Ebi, a professor at the University of Washington who studies heat and health, emphasizes the danger of heatwaves: Heat kills. Mortality rates significantly increase within 24 hours of a heatwave’s onset. In particular, the poorest individuals and people of color are more likely to suffer from the grueling heat without access to air conditioning, according to an analysis of 115 U.S. metropolitan areas conducted by Boston University.
While Phoenix may experience slight relief with seasonal thunderstorms expected to lower temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, the respite may be temporary. Highs are projected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) on Wednesday and 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) by the end of the week. Phoenix has also endured a record-breaking streak of 16 consecutive nights with temperatures not dropping below 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius), making it challenging for people to cool off after sunset.
In addition to Phoenix, Las Vegas is also on track to have its hottest July ever. The city is approaching its 2010 record for the average daily high and low temperatures in July, standing at 96.2 degrees Fahrenheit (35.5 degrees Celsius).
Heatwaves have also struck the eastern United States, with soaring temperatures shifting from the Midwest to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Some areas have already experienced their warmest days of the year.
As summer temperatures continue to rise, it is crucial to address the implications of climate change and take measures to protect vulnerable communities. Heatwaves and wildfires are just a few examples of the severe consequences that can arise from rising temperatures.
