A widespread heat wave is expected to intensify fire concerns across California as temperatures rise and landscapes further dry out. The Gifford, Rosa and Gold fires are burning.

Blue whale songs dropped by 40% during and after a major marine heat wave. Scientists say the decline is tied to food loss and could point to broader ecosystem stress in the Pacific.

Rising temperatures pose new challenges for firefighters who have made incremental progress against a massive wildfire in central California that has injured four people as it has become the biggest blaze in the state so far this year.

The Gifford Fire, a wildfire burning in Central California that has destroyed over 83,000 acres in six days, continues to rage and is now the largest blaze in the state this year, according to Cal Fire.

The fire has scorched at least 131 square miles of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with just 9% containment.