Heat Wave

Two years ago the Pacific Northwest experienced a record breaking heat wave that resulted in hundreds of fatalities. Now one Oregon county is suing several fossil fuel companies and coal-producing corporations, saying that their products played a significant role in generating the heat dome and further intensifying it.

In late June 2021, the Pacific Northwest Heat Dome brought unprecedented, deadly temperatures to the region. Portland, Oregon reached a record-setting 116 degrees, and local officials say 69 people – mostly older residents – died during the extraordinary week. Now Multnomah County, home to Portland, is suing a number of fossil fuel companies and organizations.

The National Centers for Environmental Information released its national climate report for September, indicating that the month's national average temperature was 68.1 degrees Fahrenheit — the fifth warmest September in the 128-year record.

A look at the dangers of working in the heat and what you can do to stay safe.

Much of the Mountain West is in the midst of a heat wave, but what does that mean for wildfires? The National Interagency Fire Center forecasters say it depends on what happens next. Extreme heat can dry out fuels, starting with grass and brush and then drying out trees. If that’s followed by more hot, windy weather and thunderstorms, that’s a recipe for more wildfires.

Unlike Oregon and Washington, Idaho does not have its own state occupational safety office; it follows federal OSHA rules. Currently, those generally require employers to provide a workplace free of hazrds that could cause death or series physical harm.

It's December in the Mountain West but it's been downright balmy, with high temperatures breaking decades-old records around the region.

A study published earlier this year found that even without bark beetle outbreaks and wildfire, trees in Colorado's subalpine forests are dying at increasing rates from extreme summer conditions.

Just weeks into the summer season, a heatwave is once again suffocating parts of the Mountain West including areas already grappling with historic drought conditions.

Temperatures in the Treasure Valley are set to top 100 degrees for at least the next week and that means farmworkers continue to be at a heightened risk for heat exhaustion.