The heat wave has already claimed at least 20 lives and continues to pose significant health risks, particularly in the Southwest. Over 165 million Americans in the Midwest and East were at risk of heat-related illnesses during the peak of the heat wave. The ongoing extreme heat in the West is expected to exacerbate wildfire risks and worsen air quality due to smoke and reduced wind flow. In Alaska, residents unaccustomed to such high temperatures may face heat-related illnesses.