Another day of potentially record-breaking heat is in store for portions of the western US today. Heat-related illness can sneak up on you. Know the signs. pic.twitter.com/uPmMfYPX8z
— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 12, 2021
Dangerous Fires in Pacific NW
The heatwave extends across much of the Pacific NW. Major wildfires were fed by the sweltering heat. Pressure on power grids is putting them at-risk. A large blaze burned in Southern Oregon that threatens 1,200 homes.
Some of the fires were ignited burning along a high voltage power corridor connecting Oregon’s power grid with California’s. Officials in both states worry that electricity could be knocked out to thousands of homes and businesses
On Tuesday, the Bootleg Fire broke out burning 144,000 acres, or 224 square miles in and around the Fremont-Winema National Forest. As of Sunday afternoon, it still has not been contained.
926 firefighters are working the blaze. Conditions are so dangerous that many of them have been told to “disengage and move to predetermined safety zones,” managers said. So far, there have been no fatalities reported.
The hottest temperature extends to Texas
The heatwave also smashed records in parts of Texas and throughout the Southwest. And the Midwest and East can expect to see the excessive heat return to those areas by this weekend.
