Maricopa sees first heat death of summer

An unrelenting heat wave in central Arizona brought record-breaking high temperatures. But with excessive sunshine comes something much darker — death by heat. 

Pinal County has seen four deaths associated with heat so far this year, according to data from the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by InMaricopa. One death happened in Maricopa in mid-June. 

Despite having a population well more than 10 times that of Pinal County, neighboring Maricopa County has suffered just a dozen heat-related deaths so far this year. 

According to the county medical examiner, if history is any indicator, heat deaths will only become more likely in the coming months. 

By the numbers

Of the four Pinal County deaths, two listed heat as a primary cause. 

Three occurred after noon and all had at least one underlying factor that contributed to or worsened the decedent’s condition, such as dehydration, heart disease or substance abuse. 

The medical examiner did not share how many cases were still under investigation. 

The county’s numbers vary in previous years — 25 in 2020, 18 in 2021 and a whopping 32 in 2022. Last year, most deaths occurred in July, with 11 taking place over a two-week stretch. 

This is not unusual, according to PCMEO Investigations Supervisor Andre Davis. 

“I believe July and August are historically the months we see the most heat-related deaths,” Davis said.  

Maricopa saw a half-dozen heat-related deaths from May 2020 through last month. Three of those occurred in July 2022. 

Deaths affected all races, sexes and ages in the county. The youngest victim was a 19-year-old white man in Red Rock last year. The oldest, a 92-year-old Black woman in Casa Grande in 2021.  

Each of those deaths was preventable, according to the medical examiner. 

Dangers of hyperthermia 

Hyperthermia happens when the body overheats and can no longer cool itself. This typically occurs when the body exceeds 104 degrees due to environmental factors.  

Heat exhaustion comes first, with warning symptoms of thirst, headaches, dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps and vomiting.  

Christopher Bolinger, Maricopa Fire and Medical Department’s assistant chief, explained that if ignored, these can lead to devastating outcomes. 

“In a hyperthermic event, we’re talking about really high temperatures that can cause breakdowns in systems all across the body,” Bolinger said. “There’s a wide variety of systems that break down your cognitive issues where people start to think unclearly and then they can make poor decisions. It’s such a wide variety of impact on the body.” 

Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, hallucinations, seizure and coma. These often lead to injury or death. 

Prevention 

Afternoon temperatures will continue to climb over 110 degrees next week, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service. With the prolonged excessive heat warning in Maricopa will continue through Wednesday, residents are advised to take precautions. 

NWS meteorologists recommend staying indoors as much as possible, drinking more water than usual and dressing in lightweight clothes. They also recommend checking on friends, family and neighbors, especially those more vulnerable to heat, such as older adults and children. 

Bolinger recommended ensuring children and pets are not left alone in vehicles.  

“In Arizona, we get summertime temperatures that can reach 110 degrees on a regular basis,” he said. “When it’s that hot, in 30 minutes, the interior of the car is 144 degrees. You can’t survive in that.” 

This year’s heat deaths as of July 13: 

May 18: A 33-year-old man in Sacaton died shortly before noon. He suffered hyperthermia and dehydration. The high temperature that day reached 100 degrees. 

May 22: A man of an unknown age in Bapchule died aroung 9 a.m. His died of diabetes and heart disease, coupled with overheating. The high temperature that day reached 102 degrees.  

June 21: A 57-year-old man in Maricopa died at noon. He died of heart disease with physical exertion and heat exposure listed as contributing factors. The high temperature that day reached 104 degrees.  

July 11: A woman of an unknown age died in Apache Junction shortly before midnight. She died of heart disease worsened by heat exposure and alcohol abuse. The high temperature that day reached 109 degrees.