It's predicted to get hotter than a mere 114 degrees F at Death Valley National Park / Rebecca Latson
Editor's Note: This updates with a motorcyclist's death due to heat exposure and several others treated for heat illness at Death Valley National Park.
A dangerous heat wave spreading across the West turned deadly in Death Valley National Park when a member of a party of six motorcyclists died from heat exposure near the Badwater Basin. The death came as the National Weather Service predicted temperatures in the park would approach 129° Fahrenheit on Sunday.
Death Valley wasn’t the only park being baked by the heat wave. Elsewhere in the park system, parts of Sequoia National Park were eyeing 113°F, and low-lying areas of Grand Canyon were told to brace for 110°F, Joshua Tree National Park could reach 109°F, and Yosemite National Park might reach 105°F. Cedar Grove on the floor of Kings Canyon National Park was expecting a high temperature Sunday of 100°F.
The motorcyclist died Saturday in Death Valley, when the mercury rose to 128°F unofficially. Another member of the group was taken to a Las Vegas, Nevada, hospital for advanced medical care, while four others were treated once and released. Complicating matters for first responders to the scene were the high temperatures in the park, which prevented emergency medical flight helicopters from responded, as they were grounded by the high temperatures.
The social media team at Yosemite posted a warning on its Facebook page that many other parks could borrow:
With the high temperatures we are experiencing and the excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service in place until July 11, we want all those visiting the park to take the necessary steps to stay safe and cool.
- Consider taking the following actions to mitigate your likelihood of getting a heat injury or experiencing heat exhaustion:
- Drink water regularly, even when you are not actively thirsty. There is potable water throughout the park to fill water bottles with.
- Take lots of rest from activity in the shade. Structure more physically strenuous parts of your trip during the coolest time of day (morning and evening).
- Maintain your electrolyte balance by consuming salty snacks at regular intervals.
- Listen to your body, check in with those around you, and continuously reassess your comfort with the level of activity you are doing.
