Residents across the Western United States are enduring a dangerous heat wave, with temperatures soaring to record levels and hospitalizing several people. Officials have warned that the heat will persist through the weekend, leaving millions under threat in states including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona. In Portland, Oregon, the heat shattered a decades-old record, while in Arizona, hundreds of thousands faced unrelenting overnight warmth with no relief.
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Extreme Heat Warnings
About 1.2 million people were under extreme heat risk, according to the National Weather Service. The largest concentration was around Tucson, Arizona, where highs of 102 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit (39 to 42 degrees Celsius) were expected. Parts of inland Southern California were also placed under extreme risk, with forecasters warning that dangerously high overnight lows would compound the threat. Another 18.6 million nationwide faced “major heat risk,” particularly workers and those without consistent access to cooling or water.
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Record-Breaking Temperatures
Portland, Oregon, set a new record high for August 22 at 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 Celsius), surpassing the previous record of 98 degrees set in 1942, according to preliminary data. Officials warned that the temperatures were part of a broader heat wave sweeping across the Pacific Northwest, one of the regions least prepared for sustained extreme heat. The sweltering conditions added to the strain on public health systems already stretched by rising emergency calls.
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Health Emergencies Reported
The scorching weather has already hospitalized several people. In Portland’s annual Hood to Coast relay race, which stretches from Mt. Hood to the Pacific Ocean, a runner competing in the over-50 division collapsed after completing four miles. “Some other stranger saw me wobbling and caught me before I hit the ground,” said David Loftus, a writer and amateur actor. He was taken to the hospital and kept overnight for observation after losing consciousness, though he has since recovered.
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Portland Declares Emergency
Authorities issued an extreme heat emergency notice for Portland and Multnomah County around the time of the race. Emergency visits spiked dramatically, officials confirmed. “Typically, we see a single visit or no visits. Yesterday, we had 16 visits, six of them from Hood to Coast participants,” said Brendon Haggerty of the Multnomah County Health Department. “The Portland metro area is facing the highest heat risk of 2025.”
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Past Heat Wave Tragedies
This latest crisis has revived memories of the devastating June 2021 heat wave that gripped the Pacific Northwest. That event brought Portland to an unprecedented 116 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius) and caused more than 100 deaths. Most victims were elderly or lived alone, though the youngest was just 37 years old. Officials have urged residents to take extra precautions to avoid a repeat of that tragedy.
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Vulnerable Populations at Risk
Public health experts warn that the ongoing heat wave poses the greatest risk to vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers, the elderly, and those without reliable cooling systems. With temperatures expected to stay elevated and no significant overnight relief, even short exposure could become dangerous. Authorities are urging communities to check on neighbors, stay hydrated, and seek shelter in cooling centers where available.