Record-high temperatures are fueling fires in the west, with some 30,000,000 people under a heat advisory.
Fires in Oregon took down three major power lines in California, which could devastate the power grid. This morning crews switched to back up systems and renewed their calls for Californian’s to conserve power.
In northern California, the Beckwourth Complex Fire is the largest of the year so far. It is covering an area triple the size of San Francisco and has destroyed at least 20 homes.
As a heatwave barrels along the west coast, Oregon is the latest state to adopt heat safety rules for ag workers.
The new rule requires employers to provide a 10 minute cool down/rest period for every two hours, enough water for every employee, and give treatment to anyone showing signs of heat-related illnesses.
More than 800 workers have died and more than 70,000 were injured by heat stress in 2017.
Related:
Concern Across the Board: the heat is on in the west
CA might break last year’s wildfire record
Some California producers are considering selling water