Story perspectives

Heat Wave Hits 45 Million; 114°F Forecasts Spur Cooling Centers

8/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings on Sunday affecting 45 million people, prompting cooling centers to open in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Forecasts called for temperatures to reach 114 °F in Phoenix and Las Vegas.
High fire danger in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming coincided with a Spokane County wildfire that burned over 5,000 acres and damaged about 600 structures.
Studies link increasing intensity of heat domes to human-caused climate change.

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Story summary

The U.S. National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings on Sunday affecting 45 million people, prompting cooling centers to open in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Forecasts called for temperatures to reach 114 °F in Phoenix and Las Vegas.
High fire danger in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming coincided with a Spokane County wildfire that burned over 5,000 acres and damaged about 600 structures.
Studies link increasing intensity of heat domes to human-caused climate change.