Heat

This year’s already strong El Niño is strengthening, a trend with potentially significant implications for the intense – and now tragic – fire season.

“Dangerously hot conditions” are forecast, with temps likely to top triple digits.

Longer wildfire seasons can blanket communities in smoke. Summer heat records continue to rise. Drought remains a persistent concern for water supplies, agriculture and ecosystems.

At night, temperatures are often cooler and the air is wetter, which gives wildland firefighters a long window to make up significant ground when trying to suppress blazes. But that pattern is breaking down, a trend driven by human-caused climate change, according to a new study.

The federal government shifts away from workplace inspections. Meanwhile some states have their own workplace rules to address heat.

The Trump Administration wanted to scrap the program. But is now releasing funds earmarked to help people pay air conditioning during an anticipated extreme heat summer.

Southern Nevada hosts first Heat Summit with collaboration from Phoenix leaders

A new report from the American Lung Association finds about half of U.S. children are living in areas with unhealthy air quality, and several Mountain West cities rank among the most polluted in the country.

Warmer than usual weather in March, combined with drought, has made it more likely the state will see large fires this summer.

The monthly National Interagency Fire Center outlooks are typically staid documents, providing just-the-facts analysis. But the latest is superlative-laden as it describes record-low snowpacks, record-early snow melt and record-high temperatures.