As temperatures in the Valley rise, it is more important than ever to understand the risks of extreme heat. According to the 2025 Maricopa County Annual Heat Report, 430 heat-related deaths were identified in 2025.
Time is crucial when suffering from a heat-related illness. The longer an individual’s internal temperature is above 104 degrees, the higher likelihood there is of long term effects or even death.
“It’s literally killing the brain cells,” Sun City Fire and Medical Department EMS Chief Kyle Henson said. “If you can’t get them cooled fast enough, you get anoxic and they lose their ability to have daily functions.”
