WASHINGTON, D.C. ? Natural gas futures surged 14 percent to a near six-month high on Monday, rallying on strong demand from power producers amid scorching temperatures across the Midwest and Northeast.

Oil prices also rose as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah raged on, keeping traders tense about a possible Mideast supply disruption.

The U.S. heat wave drove up demand for natural-gas-fired electricity as consumers cranked up their air conditioners and many utilities asked homeowners to conserve electricity.

September natural gas futures jumped $1.027 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, settling at $8.211 per 1,000 cubic feet – the highest close for front-month natural gas futures since Feb. 3.

Light sweet crude for September delivery rose $1.16 to settle at $74.40 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. September Brent crude futures at London’s ICE Futures exchange rose $1.76 to settle at $75.15 a barrel.

Oil prices have been choppy in recent weeks, but BNP Paribas Commodity Futures broker Ric Navy said the market could be setting up for a big move up.