Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver and Death Valley in California hit record temperatures on Saturday. High temperatures are normal during the summer in the desert, but meteorologists say this does not mean that people should feel comfortable as temperatures peak in the area. Excessive heat causes more deaths in the US than other weather-related disasters, including hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. Scientists also say that more frequent and intense heat waves are more likely in the future due to the climate crisis and an intensifying drought in the American West. The National Weather Service in Phoenix reported a temperature of 114 F (46 C), setting the record high for the date set in 1918. Las Vegas set a record for the day set in 1956, with temperatures soaring to 43 degrees Celsius. The National Meteorological Service said high temperatures in both cities were likely to rise further. In Colorado, Denver reached 38 degrees Celsius, setting a record in 2013 for both the high temperature and the first calendar day to reach 100 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in several parts of California reached triple digits by the afternoon, with a record high for June 11 at 50 degrees Celsius in Death Valley. Heat warnings and heat warnings have been issued for areas of Northern California through the Central Valley and into the southeastern desert. The National Weather Service also forecast 46 degrees Celsius in Palm Springs and temperatures around 38 degrees Celsius in the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento area. The heat was expected to spread to the interior of the San Francisco Bay Area, but most of California’s coastal areas were left without heat warnings. The heat in Northern California was expected to subside on Saturday night. Heat warnings in parts of Southern California have been extended until Sunday. Meteorologists warned of a very high “heat risk” in south-central Arizona by the weekend. High temperatures were likely to approach record ground – anywhere between 43 C and 115 F (46 C). They called on the public to limit outdoor activities. Parts of New Mexico and Texas would also see three-digit numbers. In Alaska, meanwhile, a large tundra fire continued to burn in an Alaskan village on Saturday, but fire officials said its pace had slowed. The East Fork fire remained about five miles (8 kilometers) from St Mary’s Yup’ik village, according to a statement from the Alaska Wildland Fire Information. The fire covered an area of 169 square miles (438 square kilometers), more than double the latest estimate. The tundra is a treeless area covered with low-altitude plants and the fire was fed by extremely dry grass and a brush full of alder and willow. The Associated Press contributed to this report
