Deadly Heat Wave Sweeps Western United States A deadly heat wave has struck the Western United States, claiming the lives of at least four people in the Portland, Oregon area. The blistering temperatures are expected to soar into the triple digits across the region, from Washington to Arizona. The scorching conditions have shattered records in California and Nevada, with temperatures reaching as high as 129 degrees in Death Valley, California. Tragically, a motorcyclist visiting Death Valley National Park succumbed to heat exposure, and another individual was treated for severe heat illness. In Sacramento, a 58-year-old man died from organ failure related to heat stroke after temperatures soared to 113 degrees over the weekend. Similarly, in Portland, where many residents lack air conditioning, the extreme heat has been described as "very unusual" by meteorologists. The heat wave is expected to persist through the workweek, with temperatures running 15 to 30 degrees above average in some areas. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the danger posed by the soaring temperatures, particularly for vulnerable individuals and those without access to cool shelter and electricity. As the heat wave continues to grip the region, officials are also concerned about the potential for new wildfires, particularly when coupled with high winds. In the East, a separate high-pressure system has broken daily heat records in Raleigh, North Carolina, adding to the widespread impact of the extreme weather. Experts warn that as humans continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels, record-breaking heat and extreme weather events will become even more common. With millions of residents in California eagerly awaiting relief from the prolonged heat wave, the effects of climate change are being keenly felt across the country. As of Monday, more than 146 million people across the United States were under extreme heat advisories, watches, or warnings, highlighting the widespread nature of the heat wave and its potentially dangerous consequences.