Wildfires blazed through a Utah mountain area known for rare plants, prompting Utah to prohibit fireworks statewide.
Forecasts warn of extreme fire danger in the Four Corners region ahead.
Fire crews in several western states battled high winds and drought, hampering containment.
The Western States 100 ultramarathon began in California, signaling the start of a grueling race.
In western North Carolina, officials opened cooling centers to help residents beat the heat.
Colorado’s Western Slope bank branches noted longer lines and additional phone traffic after moving customers to FirstBank accounts.
Western Midstream Partners began building a second produced‑water treatment plant in Texas.