Blistering heatwave sweeps western U.S. with record temperatures

Kids cool off in a fountain in Orange County, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

People cool off in a fountain amid heat waves in Los Angeles, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

A kid cools off in a fountain in Orange County, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

People cool off in a boat amid heat waves at Echo Park in Los Angeles, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

A woman eats watermelon amid heat waves at a park in Los Angeles, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

Kids cool off at a water park in Orange County, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

People eat ice cream amid heat waves in Los Angeles, California, the United States, Aug. 1, 2026. Blistering heat blanketed the western United States on Saturday, with temperatures hovering near record highs, increasing the risks of heat-related illness and wildfire.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with temperatures in some southwestern deserts forecast to reach 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)