Life-threatening heat wave scorches Western US

America's Western states are set to scorch as a dangerous heat wave has been forecast for the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued "extreme heat warnings" across parts of Arizona, California and Nevada, and Americans have been warned that temperatures could reach 130F (54C).

According to Sci-Tech Today, the all-time record high of 117F could be broken on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Alan Reppert, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather tells the website that the cause of the excessive heat is an unusually strong area of high pressure that will keep the region dry and let the heat build up.

Sky News reports that safety precautions are being put in place, with temporary cooling stations set up for the homeless and elderly.

Airlines are also monitoring the soaring temperatures to ensure it remains safe to fly.

Meanwhile, NBC News reports that 30 people were taken to hospitals for heat-related injuries and illnesses at a music festival in Las Vegas on Friday.

About 200 people were treated at the festival for nausea, vomiting and fatigue caused by the heat as temperatures officially hit 117F (47C).

In Los Angeles, firefighters are particularly concerned about the heat as it comes in a year of record dry conditions that have already sparked major bush fires, LA Times reports.

The mercury hit 116F (47C) in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday.

The heat wave is expected to last through the weekend.

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