Southwest bakes in heat
PHOENIX — People across the Southwest were cranking up their air conditioners Monday — the first day of summer — as they braced for more of the searing heat that left four people dead in Arizona over the weekend.
The mercury hit 118 in Phoenix on Sunday, breaking a record of 115 set for the date nearly 50 years ago.
Two hikers were found dead Sunday on separate trails near Tucson.
A 19-year-old woman died from apparent heat-related illness after she and a companion got lost, authorities said. A man was also found four miles from a trailhead.
In such extreme heat, even going outdoors early can turn deadly. A 28-yearold woman and two friends set out mountain biking around 6 a.m. Sunday in Phoenix and carried water, but the woman was exhausted about three hours later and could not breathe.
The avid hiker and personal trainer was taken to a hospital, where she later died, fire Capt. Larry Subervi said. She had no known medical issues, and her condition appeared to be heat-related.
On social media, residents commiserated about the sweltering heat by posting photos of temperature readings on car thermometers and cellphones.
Some people ventured outside for quick errands. Kim Leeds, 28, had to take her dog Bo outside in the afternoon for a bathroom break. The Australian shepherd wears special booties with rubber bottoms that help protect his paws from hot pavement.
“He does really well with them. He doesn’t mind walking around,” Leeds said.
Preparing to enter her