Record-breaking Western heat wave raises concerns about health, safety

The record-breaking heat wave baking western states for the fifth straight day could be dire for people living in communities where the temperatures are soaring well over 100 degrees.

“This heat has an important effect on people and their health,” said Dr. Suganya Karuppana, chief medical director at the Valle del Sol community health clinics in Arizona, told The Associated Press. People, not to mention plants and animals, need the air to cool down at night to help them recover from the stress of intense heat — it hit a record 117 degrees in Phoenix on Friday, the fourth day straight above 115, and no break expected Saturday, The Arizona Republic reported.