A rescue operation was launched for 28 hikers at Lake Mead, including 25 children with special needs and three adults, who were affected by intense heat on the Arizona Hot Springs Trail. The National Park Service closed the Arizona Hot Springs and Goldstrike trails due to temperatures exceeding 100°F. Despite trail closures and warnings of dangerous heat, the group continued their hike, according to KTNV.
On Wednesday, a hiker died from a heat-related incident in a rugged area. The National Park Service said, "the severity of the current conditions and the significant strain these emergencies place on park resources," as per a statement obtained by KTNV.
The National Park Service announced trail closures for several days due to extreme conditions, with a possible reopening over the weekend if temperatures drop. There may also be longer closures during the summer when heat levels are high. Visitors are encouraged to check the National Park Service website for updates. "Rangers have observed that hikers are not yet acclimated or adequately preparing for the extreme conditions," as reported by FOX5 Vegas.
