A cross-country heat wave is buckling highway pavement in several states, exacerbating emergencies like broken water mains and making dangerous work more so for western firefighters battling wildfires. At least one person has died.

Forecasters say it'll be days before temperatures cool _ and with the colder air will come the risk of severe thunderstorms.

Here are photos showing America _ at work, at play and sweating all the while _ during the hottest spell so far this summer.