Firefighters in California are facing multiple blazes amid record-breaking heat on Friday. A new fire near Yosemite National Park has started as a larger fire to the north is being brought under control.
Temperatures as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) were recorded in the state, as the heat wave peaks in the region.
The National Weather Service issued a warning that “Dangerous heat is likely to become more widespread in the West today and Saturday,” with temperatures expected to be significantly above average for the West Coast.
The heatwave is hitting during the July 4 weekend, a time when Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks displays that can pose fire risks in hot and dry conditions.
A new fire broke out near Yosemite National Park, causing evacuations in Mariposa. By Friday afternoon, the fire had burned nearly 1,000 acres and was 15 percent contained.
In northern California, progress has been made against the Thompson Fire near Oroville, with some evacuation orders lifted despite high temperatures.
However, fire officials and forecasters are warning that the danger is not over, as temperatures are expected to remain high and peak on Saturday.
Climate scientists attribute the heat and dry conditions in the western US to human-caused global warming, leading to prolonged aridification in the region.
str-amz/mlm
