Publication Date June 20, 2016 | The Inquisitr News

Southwest Heat Wave Kills Four, Grounds Flights, Causes Wildfires: Rare 120 Degree Heat Is Hottest Yet

United States
Helicopters sucked water out of a reservoir to drop on flames while air tankers bombarded the flanks of the fire with retardant. Photo: Mike Blake / Reuters
Helicopters sucked water out of a reservoir to drop on flames while air tankers bombarded the flanks of the fire with retardant. Photo: Mike Blake / Reuters

A strengthening high pressure ridge out of Mexico is responsible for the heat wave that is expected to continue through most of the week, University of Arizona climate scientist Jonathan Overpeck told ABC News.

“We should anticipate more and more of this extreme heat, and we’re getting to feel it firsthand. It is what global warming looks and feels like.”

The extreme heat has also hampered firefighters battling blazes in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The wildfires have already scorched tens of thousands of acres and forced evacuations