Brutal heatwave scorches US west, sparking fires and health warnings

Several California cities broke heat records, rising as high as 112F, and blazes erupted as residents were forced to flee

A record-breaking heatwave has scorched the US west, the latest in a string of extreme temperature events putting communities on high alert for heat-related illness and death as temperatures are expected to spike higher through the holiday weekend.

More than 50 million Americans live in areas now under excessive heat watches, warnings and advisories. Temperatures are expected to hit 115F (46C) in the coming days across parts of southern California, Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley, according to the National Weather Service. In Death Valley, temperatures were forecast to reach more than 120F (49C) - and perhaps match the highest temperature observed globally in the month of September.