Summer has just begun in the United States, but the temperatures are hitting a record high in the southwest corner of the nation, which has sparked wildfires and triggered power outages.
There were 15 incidents of fire in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah on Wednesday.
Several intermittent blackouts were reported in a number of southwest cities as the spike in demand for electricity to run air-conditioning units overloads power systems.
Fire and power outrages were not only the issues faced by people due to the heatwave. Medic experts have warned that touching normally innocuous items like steering wheels and doorknobs may leave up to third-degree burns.
So people have been spotted driving their vehicles with oven mittens. Businesses have covered their door handles with materials that alleviate the heat.
Public health and emergency rooms are prepared for an extra case of heat-related illnesses.
Some tourist spots are experiencing low visitor turnout. The popular mountain hiking trails near Phoenix are unseasonably quiet.
Arizona on Tuesday, almost canceled 50 flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, because the weather was hotter than the operating temperatures of some of the smaller aircraft.
Residents in south Arizona are posting on social media that how the escalating temperatures are affecting goods and other households items.
- In Tucson candles kept inside a car melted due to heat.
Even the animals in Arizona zoos are facing extreme difficulties due to the heat waves. Reid Park Zoo in Tucson are closing earlier than scheduled time so the staff can focus on animal care.
The Phoenix Zoo have introduced, shade structures, cooling slabs, pools, said communications director Linda Hardwick.
Desert-dweller scorpions are also attempting to avoid baking in the sun by quenching their thirsts in backyard swimming pools south of Phoenix.
To beat the heat a diner in Tucson is offering free ice cream to residents whenever the mercury exceeds 105F (40.5C).
A woman cooked eggs in the heat.
"I have personally seen eggs cook on the sidewalk or cookies on a pan sitting on the dash of a car. Things like that," Jennifer Naples of Scottsdale said.
"This heat is unreal."
AMandeep
