China News Service, June 15 reported that the summer has not yet begun, and the United States has been affected by high temperature and drought.
On the 14th, about 43 million people in the western and southwestern United States were under high temperature warning. The next week will face an extreme heat wave, with temperatures about 11 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal benchmark.
The arrival of high temperatures will also exacerbate droughts and may lead to large-scale wildfires.
Data map: On August 15, 2020, citizens of San Francisco, USA, enjoy the coolness at Baker Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan
According to the report, the temperature in many cities is expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 37.8 degrees Celsius) and break historical records, including Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona and Salt Lake City in Utah.
The high temperature will continue to intensify this week, and by the 18th, the temperature in more areas may break records.
Temperatures in Phoenix and Las Vegas are expected to remain above 43 degrees Celsius this week, and temperatures in Death Valley may exceed 50 degrees Celsius later this week.
The arrival of high temperatures will exacerbate the drought. According to reports, last week, 88% of the western United States was in a dry state, including California, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada. The entire state was affected by drought, affecting more than 143 million people.
The water levels of major reservoirs, including Colorado Lake Mead, are already at their lowest levels in history and are expected to fall further.
In Northern California, where there is usually plenty of rain in winter and spring, Lake Oroville, the second largest reservoir that provides water to 27 million local residents, is currently 50 meters lower than in 2019.
High winds and low humidity are expected to exacerbate the wildfires that have already erupted in California, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, and further increase the risk of wildfires. Another severe wildfire season may be on the horizon.
The National Weather Service has issued fire and red flag warnings to more than 3 million people.
As the temperature rises, the warning range may expand.
The California Fire Department said that compared with the same period in 2020, California's wildfire activity has increased by 26%, and the burnt area has increased by 58%.
2020 is the worst wildfire season in the state, burning a record 4.4 million acres.
The warmer temperatures and the intensifying wildfire season can be attributed to climate change.
The heat wave lasts longer and longer, the fire is getting stronger and stronger, and the area of land burned during the western wildfire season is also increasing year by year.