Portland records hottest ever day as heatwave scorches Pacific north-west

Temperatures soared across the region as Portland hit 108F and Seattle broke 100F for only the fourth time since records began

Government officials, wildlife managers and utility workers across the Pacific north-west were trying to keep people and animals safe as a historic heat wave scorched the region on Saturday.

Portland, Oregon, had its hottest day ever recorded - reaching 108F (42.2C) on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record for Oregon's largest city was 107F (41.7C), a mark hit in 1965 and 1981.