Phoenix launches 2025 heat response plan to prepare for extreme temps
New additions include new heat relief center location and more cooling centers
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — City of Phoenix officials are launching a new heat relief plan as scorching temperatures will soon hit the Valley this summer.
Beginning on May 1, the new 2025 heat response plan will go into effect. Some of the changes this year include moving the main heat relief center from the Burton Barr Library to a larger location at 20 W. Jackson Street, which will have around-the-clock security.
In addition, cooling centers across the Valley will have longer hours, providing people with a space to escape the extreme heat. The City also plans to add several new cool water fountains around downtown Phoenix.
Starting this Saturday, volunteers will be at some city trailheads to provide heat safety education and cold water to hikers. Volunteers will be at Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain every Saturday between 7 and 10 a.m. from May 1 to Sept. 30.
“I think the City recognized that safety is going to be very key for our visitors that come here to our parks,” said Isaac Pena with City of Phoenix Parks & Recreation. “We do have our volunteer park stewards, who are gonna be manning these trailheads in partnership with the Phoenix Fire Department, CERT team, which is basically the Community Emergency Response Team.”
“The main mission there is just handing out water, providing education. It’s kind of a preventative search and rescue approach, meaning that we’re trying to help folks who are not really familiar with the trails or Arizona be familiar with it, and we want to make sure that they’re safe. We want to to prevent those trail rescues as we always see during the summer,” he added.
Pena also recommended hikers do their research before hitting the trails, especially if it’s their first time.
“We are going to have visitors, which is a good thing, but we want to make sure that they’re safe,” Pena said. “The key thing is to do your research. If you are going to be on a Phoenix trail or any trail in Arizona, make sure you know what you’re getting into, what level of trail that it is. If it’s extremely difficult and you’ve never hiked before, maybe you want to prepare for that, whether that’s drinking water. We recommend eight ounces of water every single time you’re outdoors.”
Last summer, Phoenix had record-breaking temperatures, including 113 consecutive days at or above 100 degrees. In addition, the city saw 70 days above 110 degrees. For the first time in the city’s history, Phoenix also had temperatures over 110 degrees as late as October.
For more information about the city’s new heat response plan, click here.
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