US Faces Intense Heat and Wildfire Smoke: Safety Tips Inside
WHO:
NPR - AccuWeather meteorologist Reneé Duff explained the heat dome phenomenon.
USA Today - Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather, provided insights on the heat dome's movement.
WHAT:
USA Today - The heat dome is expected to push into the Southwest U.S. late this week, with high temperatures in the lower 100s expanding through California's San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, reaching 110-120 degrees for southern California's deserts.
USA Today - Afternoon highs are predicted to climb into the upper 90s and low 100s across the Plains, Mississippi Valley, and Southeast, with some parts of the Desert Southwest potentially reaching 115 to 120 degrees.
Yahoo - As of Monday morning, there were 46 large uncontained fires burning in Oregon and Washington, cumulatively burning more than 1.6 million acres of wildland.
Yahoo - There were also more than 17 uncontrolled fires in British Columbia, just north of Washington.
NPR - Approximately 70 million people are affected by extreme heat across the U.S.
NPR - Daytime temperatures are reaching the 100s, with heat index values even higher.
USA Today - High temperatures in the Southwest and Texas will range from 100-111 degrees.
USA Today - Temperatures in southern California's deserts are expected to reach 110-120 degrees.
NPR - The heat dome is causing extreme heat advisories and warnings in Arkansas, Tennessee, and parts of the Gulf Coast.
NPR - The average heat stroke victim's core body temperature is 108 degrees, with a critical 30-minute window to reduce it below 104 degrees for survivability.
WHERE:
Yahoo - The worst air quality in the country was near Boise, Idaho, where the concentration of particulate matter reached levels considered very unhealthy. Parts of eastern Oregon and southern Idaho were also experiencing generally unhealthy conditions.
NPR - The affected area stretches from New Mexico to North Carolina, covering much of the South and part of the Midwest.
USA Today - The heat dome will push into the Southwest U.S. and affect California's San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys.
USA Today - High wildfire risk areas include the Northwest, particularly east of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon, and southern California's mountains.
WHEN:
USA Today - The heat dome is expected to move west late this week, with record temperatures anticipated on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
WHY:
NPR - The intensity of the heat waves is attributed to El Niño and climate change, which is making heat waves hotter and more frequent.
USA Today - The heat dome is caused by a strong high pressure that traps heat over a large area.
HOW:
Yahoo - Health experts recommend wearing N95 respirator masks for better protection against wildfire smoke, as surgical masks offer only minimal protection.
NPR - A heat dome is defined as a large, high-pressure atmospheric system that traps hot air and humidity.
NPR - Warning signs of heat stroke include dizziness, headache, nausea, and severe fatigue, with quick intervention being crucial for survival.
NPR - To prevent heat stroke, it is advised to stay out of the sun, drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, and take frequent breaks.
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 14:45 UTC)
A heat dome is set to move into the Southwest U.S. late this week, bringing scorching temperatures in the lower 100s across California's San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, with southern California's deserts potentially reaching between 110 and 120 degrees. Meanwhile, there are currently 46 large uncontained wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington, affecting over 1.6 million acres, along with more than 17 uncontrolled fires in British Columbia. In response to the worsening air quality, especially near Boise, Idaho, where levels of particulate matter are deemed very unhealthy, health experts are advising the use of N95 respirator masks for better protection against wildfire smoke.
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(UPDATED July 29, 2026 13:34 UTC)
A significant heat dome is affecting approximately 70 million people across the U.S., with daytime temperatures soaring into the 100s and heat index values even higher. Meteorologists from AccuWeather warn that high temperatures in the Southwest and Texas will range from 100 to 111 degrees, while southern California's deserts could see temperatures reaching between 110 and 120 degrees. This extreme heat is expected to move west late this week, with record temperatures anticipated on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, prompting advisories and warnings in states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and parts of the Gulf Coast.