Mandatory evacuations were underway in Polk County, North Carolina, as firefighters battled three blazes. In South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency due to wildfires. And in New Jersey, a wildfire was burning in Wharton State Forest, which forced the evacuation of two campgrounds and closed several roads.

The first full week of spring has arrived, but it may feel a bit more like summer for much of the western and central U.S. where dozens of record highs are poised to be broken. Cities like Denver, Dallas, Sacramento, Flagstaff and Portland could break daily record highs this week as warm temperatures spread across the country. Overnight temperatures will also stay warm, preventing much relief in the cooler hours.

A marine rescuer tells us the animals are being poisoned by a harmful algal bloom offshore from Southern California. Scientists say more frequent blooms are fueled by changing ocean conditions and nutrient pollution made worse by an increasingly warmer atmosphere.

Tornadoes can strike any time of year, but April, May and June are the most active months, especially when it comes to very large, destructive tornadoes.

Have outdoor weekend plans? You will want to take a look at this forecast. Severe storms will threaten parts of the eastern U.S. again this upcoming weekend, bringing the threat of damaging winds, hail and even tornadoes. Places like St. Louis, Indianapolis, Nashville, Little Rock and Birmingham could see impacts on Sunday. The threat will shift eastward on Monday to include places like Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte and Richmond. While many of the details still remain unclear, this is your early heads up about a potentially dangerous threat. Here’s what we know right now.