Officials in Oregon said Wednesday the heat wave was a "mass casualty event" consistent with "worst-case climate models." State officials have reported 116 deaths in Oregon from the heat wave, and at least 57 more in Washington state. In California, rainfall is at an all-time low, fueling concerns about a devastating wildfire season. Drought conditions as of Thursday expanded and worsened in the West, especially in the Pacific Northwest, after another week of hot and dry weather, according to the US Drought Monitor. There are five states completely in drought conditions; California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and North Dakota.

Source: CNN July 08, 2021 12:15 UTC