Phoenix Heat Wave 'Fun' Things: Locals Bake Pizza, Cookies And Fry Eggs Outside

A heat wave ripped through the Southwest this week and brought the temperature close to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix, Arizona. The dangerous temperatures have grounded planes, increased burns, melted mailboxes and forced residents to find creative ways to make use of the heat.

READ: Why Heat Waves Are Only Getting Worse

The director of the Arizona Burn Center, Dr. Kevin Foster told the Associated Press Thursday that June has been the worst month he's seen at the center in 18 years. The most common reason for patients to come into the center has been from touching scalding hot car interiors and the pavement outside.

Additionally, more than 40 planes were reportedly told to stand down from their scheduled flights on Tuesday due to the risk the heat poses for the smaller airliners, which has a maximum operating temperature of 118 degrees, according to a report by Wired. American Airlines was one of the airlines affected the most, with 20 of its planes grounded Tuesday.

READ: Border Patrol Increases Heat Wave Warnings For Migrants Trying To Cross Via Sonoran Desert

An unintended "victim" of the heat wave were mailboxes. Sixth-grader Tanner Wood discovered a drooping plastic post gnarled by the dangerous heat on Thursday and took pictures that were posted to Twitter.

"It was really hot and I think 'dang that looks like it was melted!'" said Tanner to KSAZ Fox 10.

One creative way to deal with the heat has been to bake treats inside cars. A video uploaded to Youtube Thursday shows chocolate being melted onto strawberries inside a car on the dashboard.

Oher videos showed Phoenicians baking pizzas, cookies and frying eggs in the heat.

Other consequences of the extreme heat include people using oven mitts to avoid skin contact with items like steering wheels and doorknobs.