Off a northern Arizona highway surrounded by pastel-colored desert is one of the starkest examples of drought’s grip on the American Southwest:  Nearly 200 dead horses surrounded by cracked earth, swirling dust, and a ribbon of water that couldn’t quench their thirst.  Flesh exposed and in various stages of decomposition, the carcasses form a circle around a dry watering hole sunken in the landscape.

The temperature in Arizona hit 106 degrees Sunday, breaking the previous record of 105 set on May 6, 1947.

The record was broken about noon, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures did not continue to climb as expected.

Phoenix fire officials rescued at least three overheated hikers as of Sunday.

High temperatures will remain in the triple digits throughout the week, the NWS said.

Valley heat-relief stations are: