The intense, early-season heat wave overtaking much of the Western United States (U.S.) has already set several records and caused many deaths, yet it seems it is far from over. 

The forecast says that the high heat levels will continue bringing triple-digit temperatures augmenting the concern for health and wildfires across California and surrounding states. 

Several deaths across the West have already been linked to the severe heat. A motorcyclist died in Death Valley National Park after members of the cyclist group became troubled by the heat. According to the National Park Service, a hiker was found dead in the Grand Canyon National Park where temperatures increased to the mid-90s. Similarly, the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, which monitors conditions inside prisons, reported that an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility died as a result of heatstroke as temperatures inside the facility became unbearable. 

The National Weather Service warns that this heat wave will continue to bring high and alarming weather conditions, impelling large fire growth as well. The latest growing fire took place in Santa Barbara at the Los Padres National Forest, going through 20,000 acres of land, forcing many to evacuate. 

In San Francisco, a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection employee was charged with starting five brush fires. 

38-year-old Robert Hernandez was arrested at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Healdsburg, Calif. because of suspicion of arson to forest land. Hernandez worked as an apparatus engineer for the agency, administrating and working on fire engines as well as water tanks.

A court complaint by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office disclosed Hernandez’s past criminal record and later experience as an inmate firefighter. 

Records show that he was indicted with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, received a six year prison sentence, and later participated in a rehabilitation program that allowed those incarcerated to take part in fire camps across the state. 

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Hernandez ignited while off duty between Aug. 14 and Sept. 15 in forest land near Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor. 

According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat has become the nation’s deadliest weather-related hazard, and is continuing to work on its warning systems in order to advise and encourage people to take proper precautions to prevent any further deaths and injuries.