Jun 17, 2021 - Energy & Climate
In photos: Record heatwave grips West, threatens fires
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Los Angeles Fire Department mops up a brush fire in Elysian Park on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Photo: Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
A record-breaking heatwave in the western part of the United States has caused fires in Montana, Arizona and California.
Why it matters: The West is already experiencing an intense drought, which studies show is being exacerbated by climate change. In the coming days, more than 40 million people in the West and Southwest could see temperatures exceed 100°F.
- Phoenix set a new temperature record Thursday, reaching 115°F.
In photos
