Phoenix Blaze: City Burns as Record-Breaking Heatwave Persists

The city of Phoenix is being ravaged by a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures soaring to at least 110F (43.3C) for the 19th consecutive day, making it the longest stretch of extreme heat in the city’s history. The scorching conditions are not only testing the limits of human survival but also amplifying the risks to health, particularly for those forced to endure the heat for extended periods.

Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the United States, is accustomed to hot weather, but the prolonged heatwave has pushed temperatures to new highs. The previous record of 18 days at 110F (43.3C) was set in 1974, and experts warn that this heatwave will continue to affect the region for the foreseeable future.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning, predicting that temperatures will remain in the “extreme” category, the highest level, through Friday evening. This means that everyone exposed to the heat is at risk, and city officials are racing to ensure that this devastating trend does not continue.

Heat-related fatalities have risen sharply over the past two years, with 425 deaths recorded in 2022, and 12 reported so far in 2023, with 55 other deaths under investigation. The Maricopa County Health Department statistics reveal a deep divide, with 56% of heat-related fatalities being unhoused individuals. The data also shows that racial disparities are significant, with only 6.8% of Maricopa’s population being Black, but 11% of heat-related fatalities being Black people.

Despite the efforts of city officials, advocates for the most vulnerable have questioned whether more can be done to expand access to cooling centers, particularly during the excessively hot nights when temperatures do not drop. Charles Sanders, a 59-year-old who uses a wheelchair, spends his nights in a tattered tent behind the Justa Center, a daytime service for older homeless people.

“I’ve been here for four summers now, and it’s the worst so far,” Sanders said, adding that the lack of access to cooling centers at night is a significant concern. City officials acknowledge the limitations of their resources and are working to address the issue, with a focus on keeping cooling centers open later, considering the extreme need this season.

The climate crisis is fueling this heatwave, and the city’s concrete-covered terrain, which cooks during the day and continues to emit heat through the evening hours, is exacerbating the problem. As the region continues to grapple with the devastating impact of heatwaves, it is clear that the consequences will be far-reaching and devastating.