Climate change

NBC News -  Fifteen wildfires were burning across Washington state yesterday, consuming 250,000 acres, an official said. In Spokane, more than 600 structures were destroyed and 60,000 people were forced to evacuate. Three blazes, collectively called the Spokane Complex Fire, have burned more than 7,700 acres and are 0% contained, according to a federal incident management team.

The fires are “really the worst natural disaster our region has faced,” Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown said yesterday.  Winds and dry conditions were quickly fueling the flames, and temperatures are expected to rise this week.

NPR - The U.S. saw three major heat domes last month. The latest brought extreme temperatures to much of the South and parts of the Midwest at the end of July, and the soaring temperatures shifted toward California and parts of the Four Corners over the weekend. As record-breaking heat domes and prolonged heat waves become more frequent, medical experts warn of heat-related health risks, including heat stroke and sleep loss due to uncomfortable temperatures. Extreme heat increases the risks for millions of people who lack easy access to air conditioning. Here's how to stay safe:

🌡️ Try to stay out of the sun as much as you can and drink plenty of water.
🌡️ If you do go outside, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. 
🌡️ Know the warning signs of heat stroke, which include dizziness, headache, nausea and severe fatigue. 
🌡️ As you wait for an ambulance, help someone experiencing heat stroke by immersing them in cold water