Southern California to see peak of heat wave

Weather forecasters predicted little relief Monday, especially along the state’s western edges.

But the heat turned deadly for some.

At least four people have reportedly died as a heatwave causes temperatures in parts of southwestern America to soar to 118F (47.8C), triggering wildfires and raising concerns of power blackouts.

Temperatures Monday are forecast to be just as hot, if not hotter across the region. Burbank was a record 109, breaking the old mark of 104.

Phoenix peaked at 118 degrees over the course of the day, the fifth-hottest day on record.

A strengthening ridge of high pressure lifting out of Mexico is on course to scorch portions of Arizona and southeast California on Sunday and Monday. Until this weekend, Flagstaff’s daily heat record was 92 degrees, recorded in 1936, and Prescott’s was 99 degrees, recorded in 1981.

Phoenix hit 118 degrees Fahrenheit, and the National Weather Service warned that in some desert areas, the temperature could reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Captain Isaac Sanchez of Cal Fire called it a “grueling fight” owing to the heat and rocky conditions: “They’re doing their best right now”.

The intense heat saw a brush fire break out on Sunday near downtown Los Angeles, damaging two homes and destroying three other buildings.

Temperatures are expected to remain above 110 degrees all week.

Areas under Excessive Heat Warnings Monday, June 20. “It’s torture. Stay hydrated and safe”.

On social media, residents commiserated by posting photos of boiling temperature readings on vehicle thermometers and cellphones.

Since Hiking is a favorite activity in the Phoenix Parks, the local officials are being told to stay alert for an increment of heat-related illnesses, and rangers in charge of the parks need to warn the visitors about the risks and the symptoms they should be aware of.

Those who are particularly susceptible include children younger than 4, adults older than 65, homeless people, outdoor workers, people who are overweight and people who are ill or take certain medications. The heat played a role in the deaths of mountain biker in Phoenix and a hiker in Pinal County over the weekend. The average since 2001 is 66.9 deaths each year. The man who died was believed to be from Germany, but that hadn’t been confirmed, the sheriff’s office said. The heat overcame her so swiftly that she died despite having taken along plenty of water and being immediately treated by a doctor in her hiking group.

In Pima County, Arizona, two hikers perished because of the heat, and a 25-year-old male and 28-year-old female died in Phoenix.

Other wildfires are still burning near Santa Barbara, Potrero and in the Manzano Mountains, New Mexico.