Baker, California Faces Extreme Heat with Highs Reaching 118°F (48°C)
The desert town of Baker, California, known as the 'Gateway to Death Valley,' is experiencing extreme heat this week, with temperatures ranging from 111°F to 118°F (44°C to 48°C) [Los Angeles Times, 2026-07-26]. The town, located 94 miles southwest of Las Vegas and 175 miles northeast of Los Angeles, is home to the iconic 134-foot 'World's Tallest Thermometer,' which commemorates the highest recorded temperature on Earth—134°F (56.7°C) at nearby Greenland Ranch in Death Valley on July 10, 1913. The thermometer, a 35-year-old landmark, is currently up for sale for $1.85 million, including 4.31 acres of land. The extreme heat is a reminder of the harsh desert conditions that define the area. 
