Maricopa County Public Health officials have confirmed the first heat-related death of the year in the Valley.
The victim was an older adult male, but officials have not released any additional details about the case.
Temperatures this spring have been much hotter than average and the Valley reached triple-digits in mid-March, earlier in the year than ever before.
Last year, 430 people across Maricopa County died from heat-related causes.
County officials say the first heat-related fatality of 2026 should be a reminder that heat is the top weather-related killer in the U.S. and everyone should take precautions in high temperatures.
“[The Maricopa County Department of Public Health] urges residents to take this tragic loss as a reminder to prioritize heat safety, know their risk for heat illness, and look out for one another, especially older adults, children, and people with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes,” a press release from the department said. “Heat illness can affect anyone regardless of age, health status, fitness level, or how long they’ve lived in Arizona.”
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The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for the Phoenix area Monday through Wednesday. -
Schools across Arizona are starting back up for the year. Some start this week, while others have already been in class for a few days already. And despite the relative cooldown to start this week, it’s still plenty hot out. -
In the future, Phoenix will not only see more intense high temperatures, but longer heat seasons, climate projections show. -
On the hottest days, thinner air can make it harder for aircraft to get off the ground safely. Airlines may have to lighten the load by removing passengers or cargo, or carrying less fuel. -
Americans are increasingly feeling a personal impact from extreme heat, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
