Millions of Americans face an extreme heat wave this Saturday (23), which is expected to set temperature records in regions of the central and northeast of the United States. A wildfire was also recorded in California, and residents of the region had to leave their homes.
“Extreme heat will continue in the central US and expand to the northeast this weekend, with several record temperatures likely to be set today. [sábado] and Sunday in the region,” the National Weather Service (NWS) announced. The agency also warned that high temperatures could trigger “violent weather events” such as hail, winds and tornadoes.
The heat wave was especially felt in Washington, where the maximum temperature reached 38ºC. In New York, the thermometers registered 35ºC. Temperatures can also reach 43 degrees Celsius in regions of western Utah, southern Arizona, and the northeastern United States, according to the NWS.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a state of emergency and ordered the opening hours of cooling stations and public swimming pools to be extended. Meteorologists point out that the city of the state of Massachusetts can register 37ºC this Sunday (24).
Heat increases the risk of fire. On the west coast, the fire spread through vegetation in Mariposa County, California, near Yosemite National Park. Local authorities reported that the flames, which have now spread to more than 2,500 hectares, have destroyed at least 10 properties and damaged five others. The fire had not been brought under control until Saturday afternoon.
Americans aren’t the only ones feeling the brunt of extreme heat. Soaring temperatures in Europe have caused deaths and overwhelmed emergency services, with thousands of calls for dizziness and difficulty breathing.
Hundreds of tourists and residents had to be evacuated on Saturday from a tourist center on the island of Lesbos after a fire spread and destroyed homes in the coastal town of Vatera. Experts project that the heat wave should remain in the country for another ten days, and that temperatures could reach 42ºC in some regions.
Local authorities reported that 450 people had to be evacuated from two hotels and 92 homes in Vatera. Firefighters use seven planes and a helicopter to fight the blaze.
In Portugal and Spain, the heat wave is linked to at least 1,700 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). “Events this week point once again to the desperate need for effective action against the climate crisis,” said WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge.
