California Endures Record-Breaking Heat in July, Wildfires Intensify

California endured its hottest month on record this July, as relentless heat waves scorched the western United States. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the state’s average temperature for the month reached 81.7°F (27.6°C), with several regions experiencing prolonged periods of temperatures exceeding 100°F (38°C). In early July, multiple cities shattered their previous temperature records: Palm Springs soared to 124°F on July 5, and Redding in northern California reached a sweltering 119°F on July 6.

Death Valley, known as the hottest place on Earth, recorded its warmest month ever, as confirmed by the National Park Service (NPS). Similarly, Las Vegas in Nevada hit a record-breaking 120°F on July 7, marking its hottest day in history and setting a new record for the number of days exceeding 115°F.

The ongoing climate crisis is intensifying extreme weather events worldwide, with the United States being no exception. Last month, approximately one-third of the U.S. population was under heat warnings as the Earth experienced its hottest day in recorded history on July 22, surpassing a record set just the day before.

Extreme heat poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the unhoused, seniors, and those without access to cooling facilities. It is considered the deadliest form of weather-related disaster.

July’s soaring temperatures in California also contributed to drying out vegetation, fueling wildfires across the state. One such fire, the Park Fire, erupted late last month when an alleged arsonist ignited the blaze by pushing a burning car into a ravine. With the area already baked under 100°F heat for days, the Park Fire rapidly expanded, becoming the fourth-largest wildfire in California’s history.

The Pacific Northwest, too, has been grappling with intense heat and wildfires. Oregon has witnessed over 1.4 million acres (567,000 hectares) of land burned this year—more than any other year in the past 32 years, according to records from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

The combination of extreme heat and wildfires presents immense challenges for firefighters. Those battling the Thompson Fire, which erupted not far from the Park Fire, suffered heat-related injuries, underscoring the harsh conditions they face.

Heatwaves, driven by climate change, are becoming more frequent, severe, and prolonged, impacting regions across the globe. Dr. Alexander Gershunov, a research meteorologist with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, noted last month that heatwaves are “the weather extremes most directly influenced by the steroids of climate change.” He added, “The trend is toward more frequent, more extreme, longer-lasting heatwaves all over the world, and California is certainly no exception.”