One of North America’s worst heatwaves, the end of June 1988 brought blistering heat and the largest fire in Yellowstone National Park's history. Temperatures crossed the 38°C (100°F) mark across the country, with almost no rainfall between June and August.

On 21 June, nearly every state in the continental US reported 32°C (90°F) or higher. It was estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 people died. ABC's World News Tonight programme even featured Midwesterners wondering if God had turned against them.

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