In 2023, the county reached its highest recorded number of heat deaths with 645 people dying from the heat. A preliminary report from the county’s department of public health found there were 602 confirmed heat-related deaths in 2024. Another eight deaths are under investigation.

Last year was Phoenix’s hottest year on record. In spite of that, fewer people died as a result of heat in Maricopa County in 2024 than in 2023, according to a new report from Maricopa County Public Health.

The heat will return soon, and while our summer temperatures can be deadly, it turns out fewer people died from extreme heat in Maricopa county last year. Maricopa County Health Department officials reported 602 deaths,