Millions of Americans are under excessive heat warnings and advisories Transcript

Speaker 1: (00:00)
Extreme heat across the country. And it’s not just unpleasant, it’s dangerous. Around 120 million Americans, that’s more than a third, are facing excessive heat warnings and advisories today. And it’s no better in Europe. Unheard of temperatures and drought conditions are generating devastating wildfires. Kris Van Cleave is in Dallas where it’s expected to be close to 110 degrees for the second day in a row. Chris, good morning.

Speaker 2: (00:25)
Well, good morning. Nearly the entire state of Texas, 99%, is experiencing some kind of drought condition. That’s only making it more challenging for the firefighters battling at least a dozen wildfires across the lone star state. And of course, the heat is taking an impact on critical infrastructure and raising concerns about the safety for people nationwide. Scorched by unrelenting heat, bone dry Texas brush is fueling wildfires across the state. Nationwide, approximately 85 are burning in 13 states, charring more than 3 million acres.

Speaker 3: (01:02)
If you don’t feel safe, you should leave.

Speaker 4: (01:04)
Report of a fire at the Hoover Dam.

Speaker 2: (01:06)
On the Arizona/Nevada border, part of the Hoover Dam briefly caught fire after a transformer exploded in 109 degree heat. The cause is under investigation. And tragedy in this Tallahassee parking lot, where police are looking for answers, after an 11 month old was found dead in the back of a hot car. Potentially marking at least the 12th hot car death this year. How quickly can this kind of heat impact a person?

Speaker 5: (01:33)
It can impact him in a matter of minutes.

Speaker 2: (01:36)
In Fort Worth, EMS agency, MedStar is providing donated air conditioning units to vulnerable residents, like 86 year old, Wendy Francis.

Speaker 6: (01:45)
Makes a big difference.

Speaker 2: (01:49)
Braving 110 degrees, city repair crews are working on one of nearly 200 water mains that have burst in the last 30 days alone, as temperatures consistently hit triple digits.

Speaker 7: (02:01)
The ground is drying out and when it shifts, the water mains can break.

Speaker 2: (02:07)
And now White House officials are warning the heat wave poses a larger threat.

Speaker 8: (02:11)
Climate change is a national security issue. It takes away from other tasks and missions, whether it comes to defending the United States.

Speaker 2: (02:23)
Now there have been no reports of any injuries linked to the wildfires, but several structures have been destroyed. You may notice we’re getting a breeze today. Feels good right now, but the national weather service is concerned that only elevates the risk for significant fire danger across Texas. The Dallas area will get a bit of a break tomorrow when temperatures could dip below a hundred degrees, at least for the day. If you can call 98 a cool down, Tony.

Speaker 1: (02:51)
You can call it a cool down, but not much of a break. Chris, thank you very much.