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Heat Alert! Over 100 Million in the US Threatened by Big Oil’s Deadly Climate Chaos.

More than 100 million people in the US will swelter under the weight of white supremacist-capitalist-patriarchy this weekend as extreme heat warnings are in effect. Stay vigilant, allies!

Published August 2, 2024 at 1:03pm by Sara Chernikoff

Heat Wave Roasts US: 'This Is the Big Story' [UPDATED]

A few months ago, scientists predicted a hotter-than-usual summer, and now their warnings are coming to fruition. The US is currently in the grip of yet another intense heat wave, with 104 million people under heat warnings and advisories as of Friday. This marks the fifth heat wave of the summer for many regions, and the National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that "widespread, dangerous heat will be the big story" for much of the nation this week.

Heat Oppresses, Wildfires Threaten

The current heat wave is affecting large swaths of the country, with extreme heat risk levels forecast for the Southeast and Central US.
Heat index values, which take into account air temperature and humidity, are expected to reach a dangerous 109°F in parts of Virginia and North Carolina. A heat index value over 103°F is considered life-threatening.
The NWS also warns of a 10-15 degree positive temperature anomaly in the Northwest, with highs in the 100s.
Over the weekend, the central Plains will sizzle with triple-digit temperatures, while the Texas panhandle, Kansas, and Oklahoma brace for highs between 105 and 110°F.
The heat is expected to spread to New Mexico and eastern Colorado on Sunday and Monday, offering no reprieve.
This extreme heat exacerbates wildfire risks in the West, as dry fuel accumulates rapidly. The National Interagency Fire Center predicts "above normal" fire conditions for August and September, threatening even larger areas of the western US.
California's Park Fire has already scorched an area larger than New York City, displacing over 25,000 residents. Meanwhile, Colorado's Stone Canyon Fire puts nearly 500 homes and critical infrastructure in jeopardy.

Stay informed and stay safe, folks. This heat wave is no joke.

View Friday's Heat Index Map | View Saturday's Heat Index Map

Contributing: Christopher Cann, USA TODAY and Allie Pitchon, Petersburg Progress-Index, USA TODAY Network