The record-breaking heat has had widespread impacts, including health risks for vulnerable populations, increased energy costs, and disruptions to daily life. Wildfires have engulfed large areas in the Pacific Northwest, contributing to poor air quality and forcing evacuations. The extreme heat has also intensified drought conditions, particularly in the western U.S., where water resources are already strained. The combination of heat and drought is expected to have long-term environmental and economic consequences, including damage to ecosystems and agricultural productivity.