Western states struggle under record heat wave

Thousands are evacuating a fast-moving wildfire in California.

In the small town of Weed, dozens of homes burned to the ground and fire crews were racing against time to save the most vulnerable.

Across the west, at least four million people are now under fire alerts.
The hot, dry weather provides perfect conditions for new wildfires.
46 million Americans will be spending the holiday weekend in dangerous heat.

And in Death Valley…the mercury reaching 124 degrees…just shy of the hottest September temperature ever recorded on planet earth.

Some other parts of California are bracing for temperatures that could be well over 110 with no relief in sight until at least Wednesday.