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June 16, 2021

Dangerous heat wave in the West won't end any time soon: Latest forecast

WATCH: Record-breaking heat wave hits the West
By Emily Shapiro & Max Golembo

The heat wave pummeling the West won't be leaving this week and could make wildfires even more dangerous to residents.

Dozens of record high temperatures were broken on Tuesday, including Denver at 101 degrees, Palm Springs at a scorching 120, and Palmdale, California, clocking in at 107.

MORE: Heat wave safety: What to know about heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion

Salt Lake City tied its all-time record high temperature of 107 degrees.

The sweltering heat will not end any time soon.

Caitlin O'Hara/Getty Images
A volunteer fills a cooler with water at a heat relief station at the Salvation Army Phoenix Citadel on June 15, 2021 in Phoenix. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for much of central Arizona, which is expected to be in effect through the weekend.
Caitlin O'Hara/Getty Images
A sign displays a temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit on June 15, 2021 in Phoenix, Ariz. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for much of central Arizona, which is expected to be in effect through the weekend.

On Wednesday temperatures are expected to climb to 114 degrees in Palm Springs; 115 in Phoenix; 103 in Sacramento; 113 in St. George, Utah; 116 in Las Vegas; and 98 in Denver.

MORE: Hot car safety tips to remember this summer as work-from-home schedules change

By Thursday the temperature is forecast to reach 110 degrees in Sacramento. By Friday, the heat will climb to 118 degrees in Phoenix.

Bridget Bennet/Reuters
Tricia Watts, right, uses a floaty as she cool off in the water during a heat wave in Lake Havasu, Ariz., June 15, 2021.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
A boat cruises past mineral-stained rocks on the upstream side of the Hoover Dam, June 15, 2021, in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada. Last week, The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reported that Lake Mead, North America's largest artificial reservoir, dropped to 1,071.53 feet above sea level, the lowest it's been since being filled in 1937 after the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Red flag warnings and heat warnings have been issued from Montana to Southern California where the record heat, gusty winds near 50 mph and bone-dry conditions could easily spread wildfires.

Evacuations have been ordered in Montana as the 2,000-acre Robertson Draw Fire spreads near the Wyoming border. Firefighters expect the blaze to grow even more due to the hot, dry and windy conditions, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Jim Bentler via AP
The Robertson Draw fire is seen burning south of Red Lodge, Mont., June 15, 2021. Authorities warned of extreme wildfire danger in Montana and Wyoming as a sweltering heat wave was forecast to intensify across large parts of the two states after already delivering record high temperatures.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast is preparing for the likely development of a tropical depression or tropical storm, which would be named Claudette.

From Houston to New Orleans, residents are expected to get heavy rain and gusty winds Friday into the weekend.

The worst conditions are forecast to come ashore Saturday morning.

Louisiana could see 1 foot of rain.

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