PHOENIX — The summer heat is here, and public officials are urging residents and visitors of the Valley to use caution and be prepared before spending time outdoors.
Every year, Phoenix officials say 200 people are rescued from Phoenix trails and preserves.
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Phoenix officials have various safeguards in place to keep hikers safe as the heat rises, but it's also up to outdoor enthusiasts to hike responsibly.
Heading out on trails during the heat also puts emergency crews at risk of heat exhaustion or illness.
Trail closures amid Excessive Heat Warnings
As a reminder, the City of Phoenix closes hiking trails when the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning.
On those days, Camelback Mountain's Echo and Cholla Trails and all Piestewa Peak Trailhead trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve will close from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the safety of pets, dogs are prohibited on any City of Phoenix trail when the temperature is 100º or warmer. The Arizona Humane Society advises that temperatures in the 90s are also unsafe for pets to be outdoors.
Extended summer hours
Extended summer hours are in effect from June through September at North Mountain Park, Piestewa Peak Trailhead, and Pima Canyon Trailhead in South Mountain Park/Preserve.
"To provide an extra two hours of availability and promote hiking after 7 p.m., parking lot entrances are open until 9 p.m. at those locations," Phoenix officials say. Year-round at those three trailheads, parking lots open at 5 a.m., and trails are open until 11 p.m.
Safe hiking recommendations
Here are some additional tips from the City of Phoenix:
Other cities, like Scottsdale, do not officially close trails but urge people to bring plenty of water, a charged cell phone, and to listen to your body when it comes to limits in the heat.
Water safety reminders
Drowning is the third most common cause of unintentional injury-related deaths, according to Salt River Project via the Arizona Department of Health Services.
ABC15 has recently covered numerous drowning and near-drowning incidents involving both adults and children around the Valley.
SRP offers a comprehensive checklist and other resources to prevent water emergencies.
To help keep your family safe, here are some precautions to take and things to know as you head out to pools, lakes, and other bodies of water this spring and summer:
- Ask water watchers to put away all distractions, such as electronic devices and books.
- Make sure water watchers know the address.
- If at a pool, water watchers should scan the bottom of the pool before leaving and lock the pool gate.
- Water watchers must actively watch those in their care, being sure to scan the area and keep count of everyone in the group, not just children.
- When near a pool, lock any pool gates each time someone enters or exits. Never prop a gate open.
- Be aware of buckets, puddles, ponds and play structures that may be safety hazards.
- Learn how to perform CPR on infants, children and adults. Knowing can save lives.
- Teach all kids to swim at an appropriate age and remember that it’s never too late for adults to learn how to swim.
For more information on trail ratings around the Valley, click here.
