Brutal heatwave scorches US west, sparking fires and health warnings

More than 50 million Americans live in areas now

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In Death Valley, temperatures were forecast to reach more than 120F (49C)

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highest temperature observed globally in the month of September.

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The extreme heat also helped spur new wildfires across the state

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The fire spread quickly, consuming thousands of acres in mere hours.

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The California department of emergency services said additional fire resources had been prepositioned in high-risk

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Temperatures are expected to build throughout the week

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Extreme heat warnings have been triggered up and down the state

Parts of the Pacific north-west, Nevada, Idaho and Montana will also face dangerous temperatures.

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