California firefighters faced numerous wildfires amidst record heat on Friday, with a new fire erupting near the iconic Yosemite National Park while a larger blaze up north was being brought under control.
The western US state experienced temperatures as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) on Friday, as the current heat wave in the region reached its peak.
The National Weather Service issued a warning, stating that “Dangerous heat is likely to become more widespread in the West today and Saturday… Temperatures will be 15-30 degrees above average for much of the West Coast today.”
“Widespread temperature records are expected to be tied or broken,” added the NWS.
The extreme heat coincides with the July 4 weekend, a time when millions of Americans commemorate the nation’s independence with fireworks displays that can pose fire risks in hot and dry conditions.
A new fire sparked near Yosemite National Park on Thursday night, leading to evacuations in parts of the town of Mariposa. By Friday afternoon, the fire had consumed nearly 1,000 acres and was 15 percent contained according to Cal Fire.
“Winds have calmed which has helped firefighters make progress overnight,” stated Cal Fire.
Progress was also made in northern California, with evacuation orders lifted for the Thompson Fire near Oroville. Despite high temperatures in the region, firefighters successfully contained the blaze.
However, officials cautioned that the threat is not over, as high temperatures are forecasted to continue and peak on Saturday.
“The duration of this heat is also concerning as scorching above average temperatures are forecast to linger into next week,” warned the NWS.
Climate scientists attribute the prolonged arid conditions in the western US to changing weather patterns, partly due to human-induced global warming.
str-amz/mlm
