Lightning caused the burning of approximately 10,000 acres of forests in southwest Utah on June 18, forcing residents to evacuate the area. According to news reports, residents in the areas west of "Enterprise" were compelled to evacuate their homes as the "Flat" fire spread. The video captured by Emily Preston shows the fire raging near her property, as reported by British "Sky News."
As of Friday, a severe heatwave continued in the southwestern United States for the fifth consecutive day, increasing pressure on power plants as record consumption rates were recorded ahead of a break in the heatwave expected next week. The National Weather Service issued ongoing heatwave warnings for five states: California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and part of Colorado, where temperatures often exceed 38 degrees Celsius, according to Reuters.
Bob Oravec, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, stated, "It is hot in the Southwest every year." The heatwave has increased pressure on power plants in Texas and California over the past week, but they have managed to withstand the record consumption figures.
