After an early start to the heat season and with higher-than-normal overnight temperatures, Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is seeing an increase in heat-related deaths compared to last year. Everyone from visitors to long-time residents is encouraged to follow simple steps to prevent heat-related illness and death
As of August 22, there have been 113 heat-related deaths confirmed in 2026, with another 584 under investigation
“We are all tired of the heat, but it’s not done with us yet,” said Dr. Nick Staab, chief medical officer for MCDPH. “As long as high temperatures continue, with or without heat advisories, we all have to stick to taking preventive measures to keep heat deaths from continuing.”
County health officials encourage people to remember a simple phrase: Know your risk. Protect yourself. Protect others. This simple phrase can help you remember what you can do to stay cool and safe
- Know your risk.
- Anyone can experience heat illness or death, regardless of age, health, fitness level, or how long they’ve lived in Arizona.
- Older adults are at higher risk, along with individuals who have underlying medical conditions, live in mobile homes, are experiencing homelessness, or use drugs, especially methamphetamines.
- People are at risk throughout the heat season; deaths can and do occur on days with or without heat warnings.
- Protect yourself.
- Stay well-hydrated, wear lightweight clothes, and avoid being outdoors during the hottest parts of the day.
- If you are outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors with air conditioning.
- If you are indoors, use air conditioning, especially if it is over 90 degrees outside. Once temperatures are above 95 degrees F, fans cannot provide enough cooling to keep you safe.
- Follow heat safety recommendations from local officials, such as staying off closed hiking trails during extreme heat warnings.
- If you need a place to cool off, dial 2-1-1 or visit MAG’s online map to find a Heat Relief Network partner near you.
- Protect others.
- Check on neighbors and loved ones, especially those who are older or live alone, to make sure their air conditioning is working and turned on to a cool enough temperature.
- Never leave kids, pets, and others who may rely on you inside of a parked car.
- Help the Heat Relief Network provide life-saving resources. If you can, volunteer or donate heat relief supplies like bottled water, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and hats. Find locations that will accept donations at https://azmag.gov/heatrelief.
“Every single heat death is preventable,” added Dr. Staab. “It’s easy to get tired of the summer and get caught up in all the other things we have to do each day, but these simple steps can be the difference between life and death. It’s up to all of us to prevent heat-related deaths.”
Anyone who needs a safe space to cool off can find a Heat Relief Network site by visiting Maricopa.gov/heat or by calling 2-1-1
