Much of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. is facing an early summer heat wave, with several cities battling 90-degree heat for five consecutive days.

A group of environmental, health, and labor organizations have filed a petition to urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters. If FEMA accepts the petition, it could unlock funds to help local agencies prepare for heat waves and wildfire smoke by investing in cooling centers and air filtration systems in schools.

Should FEMA classify heat waves as "major disasters"?