Excessive heat warnings are hitting Arizona this week, and not just in Phoenix. For those hiking the Grand Canyon, excessive temperatures are forecast for elevations below 4,000 feet Monday and later this Wednesday and Thursday.
Joëlle Baird with the National Park says heat is a contributing factor to most of their search and rescue operations this time of year.
"So it is something that we’re very mindful of especially in the month of June, which tends to be our hottest because of that pre-monsoon season heatwave,” Baird said.
Baird says one of the many dangers Grand Canyon hikers face is hypernatremia, which is when a person consumes too much water, which can be deadly.
Baird says since the Canyon doesn’t close trails for excessive heat, it’s important for hikers to be acclimated to the climate and operate when daily temperatures are at their coolest.
