The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Sunday through Tuesday in metro Phoenix. The Phoenix Fire Department is reminding hikers not to head out on trails during dangerous temperatures.
The National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Watch when dangerous temperatures are expected within a few days, but occurrence and timing are still uncertain. A Watch is upgraded to an Extreme Heat Warning when dangerous heat is imminent or already occurring.
Phoenix’s Echo Canyon and Cholla trails on Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak Summit trail, and three trails on South Mountain are closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Extreme Heat Warning days.
“You have to remember when you go out there and you’re hiking in this 100-degree weather, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, you’re putting first responders at risk also,” said Capt. Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department.
When Phoenix’s Trail Heat Safety Program first took effect in 2021, the fire department had 57 mountain rescues during the heat season. Last year, that dropped to 35 rescues, in spite of hotter temperatures.
“It has absolutely made an impact on how many rescues we’ve gone on,” Keller said.
Hikers can sign up for alerts about heat warnings and trail restrictions through the Phoenix Parks and recreation website.
Metro Phoenix forecast
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 107. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Clear in the evening, with a low around 82. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 109. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Clear in the evening, with a low around 84. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 112. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear in the evening, with a low around 86. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 114. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear in the evening, with a low around 88. West wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 112. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Partly cloudy in the evening, with a low around 87. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
— National Weather Service
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