Record Heat and Wildfires Persist Across U.S. and Europe
• The summer of 2026 has brought record-breaking heat across the United States, Europe, and Canada. Rapid City, South Dakota, reached an all-time high of 112°F (44.4°C) on July 25, while Denver, Colorado, experienced back-to-back triple-digit days, including a record-setting 103°F (39.4°C) on July
• The Climate Prediction Center forecasts above-average temperatures through October, exacerbated by a strengthening super El Niño. Wildfires are raging across multiple regions, including Utah, Colorado, and Canada, with smoke plumes affecting air quality in the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic.
Impact & Risks
Extreme heat is straining power grids, increasing health risks, and intensifying drought conditions. Wildfires have scorched over 380,000 acres in Utah and 101,000 acres in Colorado, threatening homes and ecosystems. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is impacting air quality across the U.S., posing respiratory risks. Prolonged heat waves are also affecting agriculture and water supplies, with Europe facing similar challenges.
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