Temperatures in the 90s and little to no rainfall have triggered exceptional drought in parts of the Northern Plains. Crops have been ravaged and fire risk is high in Montana, Wyoming, and parts of North and South Dakota.
Heat waves bring some level of discomfort to nearly everyone. When excessive heat catches vulnerable populations off guard, that discomfort can advance to illness and even death. Public health officials in Minnesota are working to protect people in both rural and urban settings.
