Record heat bakes Southwest U.S., fuels wildfires

As forecast, the American Southwest was hit by a brutal heat wave over the weekend that sent temperatures soaring to record triple-digit readings and fueled wildfires across the region. 

The mercury topped out at 118 degrees (Fahrenheit) in Phoenix, the fifth hottest day on record for the city. 

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Meanwhile, nearby Yuma hit 120 degrees, which, according to the National Weather Service, was the fourth hottest day on record for that city. 

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Los Angeles firefighters contained a brush fire that threatened homes in a densely populated neighborhood along a freeway. The fire broke out Sunday along State Route 2, scorching dry brush and trees and burning two structures described as tool sheds.

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The freeway was closed as firefighters chased embers and hosed down backyards to douse flames and prevent them from flaring up again. Neighbors in the Silver Lake area worked together to fight the blaze before firefighters arrived. 

And the hot weather isn't going to subside anytime soon. The heat wave was triggered by a sprawling, unusually intense area of high pressure that's rerouting storm systems northward toward Canada and the northern Great Lakes, while pumping hot, relatively dry air from the Southwest to parts of the Rockies and Plains states.

This high will weaken somewhat beyond Wednesday, but could still remain present for more than a week. 

Wildfires also remain a threat across the region, especially in New Mexico, Arizona and California, where fires are already burning. 

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However, there has been some good news. More humid air has helped ease the Dog Head fire in New Mexico while crews fighting the Sherpa fire in Southern California were able to make progress in their fight because forecasted heavy winds never materialized. 

Additional reporting by Mashable's Andrew Freedman and the Associated Press. 

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