3 people suffer heat-related deaths in a week's span while hiking Grand Canyon trail
All three people who died were hiking trails in the Inner Canyon, where temperatures can top 109 degrees in the shade in the middle of the day.
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GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona — Three people have died in separate heat-related incidents at Grand Canyon National Park over the last week, according to the National Park Service.
Officials said park rangers and emergency personnel responded to two separate heat-related incidents on June 12 and 16, resulting in three deaths.
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In both cases, the people were hiking trails in the Inner Canyon, where temperatures can exceed 109 degrees in the shade during midday hours, according to the National Park Service.
The North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park.
(National Park Service)
On June 12, a 72-year-old man died of suspected heat-related illness along the South Kaibab Trail.
Four days later, on June 16, a 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman also died of suspected heat-related illness on the North Kaibab Trail.
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All three hikers were taken to the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. The investigation into both incidents is ongoing.
Dramatic sunset landscape at the Grand Canyon National Park where the Colorado River runs through rock formations of eroded sand stone.
(tobiasjo / Getty Images)
Hiking in the Grand Canyon can be a challenge for anyone, especially during the summer heat.
The recent increase in heat-related incidents comes as summer temperatures in the Inner Canyon have reached dangerous levels, creating conditions that can quickly overwhelm hikers during the hottest parts of the day, officials said.
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The National Park Service is encouraging visitors to stay off Inner Canyon trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to current conditions.
The Tapeats Narrows along the Bright Angel Trail, approximately one mile north of Havasupai Gardens
(NPS Photo / FOX Weather)
Earlier this month, an 18-year-old died after experiencing signs of heat-related illness at Grand Canyon.
According to Grand Canyon National Park, the park received reports of a hiker experiencing heat-related illness symptoms below Havasupai Gardens on the Bright Angel Trail.
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Temperatures at the time were around 109 degrees in Grand Canyon National Park, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Heat illness can set in quickly if temperatures are high and there's little access to shade, air conditioning or water.
Sunset in Grand Canyon National Park from Pima Point view point. Arizona. USA
(Eloi_Omella / Getty Images)
When it is extremely hot outside, our bodies have a more difficult time staying cool and adapting to the weather. This can result in heat illness.
There are three types of heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and requires immediate medical attention.