This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40361374

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Arizona heatwave: Strange consequences of extreme heat Arizona heatwave: Strange consequences of extreme heat
(35 minutes later)
Summer has only just begun but a record-breaking heatwave in the southwest corner of the US has sparked wildfires and triggered power outages as people turn the air-conditioning dial up and up. Summer has only just begun but a record-breaking heatwave in the southwest corner of the US has sparked wildfires and triggered power outages.
There were 15 large blazes burning in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah on Wednesday.
And intermittent blackouts were reported in a number of southwest cities and towns as the spike in demand for electricity to run air-conditioning units overloads power systems.
But what are the more unlikely ways the blistering conditions are affecting the region?But what are the more unlikely ways the blistering conditions are affecting the region?
Driving with oven glovesDriving with oven gloves
Medics warn that touching normally innocuous items like steering wheels and doorknobs may leave second- and third-degree burns.Medics warn that touching normally innocuous items like steering wheels and doorknobs may leave second- and third-degree burns.
So motorists have been spotted driving with oven mittens in the triple-digit temperatures.So motorists have been spotted driving with oven mittens in the triple-digit temperatures.
And some businesses have been covering their door handles with materials that alleviate the heat.And some businesses have been covering their door handles with materials that alleviate the heat.
As well as burns, public health and emergency room personnel are prepared for extra cases of heat-related illnesses, including cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke.As well as burns, public health and emergency room personnel are prepared for extra cases of heat-related illnesses, including cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke.
Buckled roadsBuckled roads
Motorways are buckling, with giant cracks forming across four lanes of Highway 50 near the Californian city of West Sacramento on Sunday.Motorways are buckling, with giant cracks forming across four lanes of Highway 50 near the Californian city of West Sacramento on Sunday.
The pavement has since been repaired and the road re-opened but the scorching heat is suspected to be behind the damage, according to ABC local affiliate KGO-TV.The pavement has since been repaired and the road re-opened but the scorching heat is suspected to be behind the damage, according to ABC local affiliate KGO-TV.
Melting mailMelting mail
Residents further south in Arizona are sharing on social media how the climbing temperatures are also impacting goods and other items, with incidents of candles melting in cars in Tucson and vinyl records sizzling in mailboxes in Phoenix. Residents further south in Arizona are sharing on social media how the climbing temperatures are affecting goods and other items.
Some candles melted in a car in Tucson and a vinyl record warped in a mailbox in Phoenix.
Closed zoosClosed zoos
Wildlife attractions like Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, are closing early so staff can "focus on animal care", a zoo spokeswoman said.Wildlife attractions like Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, are closing early so staff can "focus on animal care", a zoo spokeswoman said.
And at Phoenix Zoo, shade structures, cooling slabs, pools and "bloodsicles" - the animal kingdom's version of a Popsicle - have been introduced, said communications director Linda Hardwick.And at Phoenix Zoo, shade structures, cooling slabs, pools and "bloodsicles" - the animal kingdom's version of a Popsicle - have been introduced, said communications director Linda Hardwick.
Swimming scorpionsSwimming scorpions
Desert-dweller scorpions are also attempting to avoid baking in the sun by quenching their thirsts in backyard swimming pools south of Phoenix.Desert-dweller scorpions are also attempting to avoid baking in the sun by quenching their thirsts in backyard swimming pools south of Phoenix.
"He had his tail up and was just swimming around," Jen Lawson, a mother-of-two, tells Maricopa-based CBS affiliate KPHO-TV of the second scorpion she has found in her pool."He had his tail up and was just swimming around," Jen Lawson, a mother-of-two, tells Maricopa-based CBS affiliate KPHO-TV of the second scorpion she has found in her pool.
"Bark scorpions (unlike our other species) will drink freestanding water and could well be attracted to increased moisture levels around pools," University of Arizona entomologist Dr Dawn Gouge tells BBC News."Bark scorpions (unlike our other species) will drink freestanding water and could well be attracted to increased moisture levels around pools," University of Arizona entomologist Dr Dawn Gouge tells BBC News.
"During June we have extreme heat and no rain, even irrigation water dries up quickly so freestanding water is in short supply.""During June we have extreme heat and no rain, even irrigation water dries up quickly so freestanding water is in short supply."
Quiet hiking trailsQuiet hiking trails
Some tourist hot spots are experiencing low visitor turnout, with Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV saying popular mountain hiking trails near Phoenix are unseasonably quiet.Some tourist hot spots are experiencing low visitor turnout, with Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV saying popular mountain hiking trails near Phoenix are unseasonably quiet.
But some tourists are following the sun, making the trek to California's Death Valley for an opportunity to snap a photo of themselves and a temperature gauge reading 130 degrees. But some tourists are following the sun, making the trek to California's Death Valley for an opportunity to snap a photo of themselves and a temperature gauge reading 130F (54C).
Planes groundedPlanes grounded
With the mercury reaching 119F (48C) in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday, almost 50 flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were cancelled because the weather was hotter than the operating temperatures of some of the smaller aircraft.With the mercury reaching 119F (48C) in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday, almost 50 flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport were cancelled because the weather was hotter than the operating temperatures of some of the smaller aircraft.
Too hot for planes to fly in PhoenixToo hot for planes to fly in Phoenix
Free ice creamFree ice cream
Residents of southwest communities are trying to beat the sweltering heat, with a diner in Tucson, Arizona, offering free ice cream whenever the mercury exceeds 105F (40.5C).Residents of southwest communities are trying to beat the sweltering heat, with a diner in Tucson, Arizona, offering free ice cream whenever the mercury exceeds 105F (40.5C).
And, of course, eggs cooking outsideAnd, of course, eggs cooking outside
"I have personally seen eggs cook on the sidewalk or cookies on a pan sitting on the dash of a car. Things like that," Jennifer Naples of Scottsdale, Arizona, tells BBC News. "This heat is unreal.""I have personally seen eggs cook on the sidewalk or cookies on a pan sitting on the dash of a car. Things like that," Jennifer Naples of Scottsdale, Arizona, tells BBC News. "This heat is unreal."
More on the heatMore on the heat