美国西部正面临严峻的自然灾害局面。华盛顿州野火已燃烧超过25万英亩，今夏累计烧毁约45万英亩[1]。其中Old Trails Fire影响3000英亩，威胁4000座建筑[1]。斯波坎市及周边地区约200座住宅被疏散，6万居民失去电力供应[1]。州长Bob Ferguson宣布全州进入紧急状态并实施禁烧令[1]。
应对这场大火的任务艰巨，国家气象局发布了前所未有的"特别危险情况"红旗警报[1]，约4000名消防员正投入灭火工作[1]。与此同时，西部多个地区面临危险高温天气。拉斯维加斯气温已达46摄氏度，仅低于日纪录1度；凤凰城预计气温将达47摄氏度；埃尔中心预计创纪录新高48摄氏度[1]。7月全美气温比平均值高2.5摄氏度，可能创1950年以来最热月份纪录[1]。当前厄尔尼诺现象预计为1950年以来最强之一[1]。
Wildfires and dangerous heat waves are simultaneously threatening multiple regions across the American west. In Washington State, a major fire has consumed over 250,000 acres, with approximately 450,000 acres burned across the state so far this summer [1]. The Old Trails Fire alone has affected 3,000 acres and threatens 4,000 structures [1]. Around 200 residences in Spokane have been evacuated, and 60,000 residents have lost power [1]. Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency and issued a burn ban in response [1]. Approximately 4,000 firefighters are engaged in containment efforts [1].
Compounding the crisis, the National Weather Service issued an unprecedented "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warning [1], as extreme temperatures grip the western states. Las Vegas recorded a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, just 1 degree below the daily record [1], while Phoenix is expected to reach 47 degrees Celsius [1]. El Centro is forecast to set a new record high of 48 degrees Celsius [1]. July temperatures across the United States have run 2.5 degrees Celsius above average, potentially marking the hottest month since 1950 [1]. The current El Niño phenomenon is expected to be among the strongest observed since 1950 [1].