- - But looking at pictures of a US Airways regional jet stuck in melting asphalt - -
The tires were not melting. The asphalt was.
There has been nothing extra ordinary about this years heat. Levels this warm have happened in the recent past.
- - It was apparently a soft spot caused by the heat, - - airline spokeswoman Michelle Mohr said
It is very apparent the tarmac melted and buckled because of a poor substructure. A properly designed tarmac would not be melting soft spots.
The CRJ-200 that got stuck is a commuter plane seating no more than 50 people. A 737 or god forbid a 747 or a large Airbus would have been in deep trouble hitting such a soft spot. That is poor design and/or construction of the tarmac anyway you cut it.
http://airnation.net/2012/07/09/us-airways-stuck-reagan-pavement/ 
