Phoenix – Dozens of people died last year in the extreme heat of the valley, and Maricopa County first reported that since 2014, the year-over-year heat has declined.

Maricopa County announced Monday that authorities confirmed 602 fever-related deaths in 2024. This is a marked decline from 645 deaths in 2023.

Versión En Español: El Condado Maricopa Experimenta una baja en muertes relacionadas con el calor en el 2024

“This reduction in heat is a step in the right direction, but we need to continue to educate our residents about the risks of extreme heat and the steps they can take to stay safe and protect their loved ones.”

The county has reported more and more fever-related deaths since 2014, when 61 deaths were reported. But despite the county continuing to experience long-term heat, the 2024 figures provided some relief.

The valley was exposed to a long heat wave last summer after the region recorded 113 consecutive days of temperatures of 100 degrees.

County officials have looked at how people experiencing substance abuse can particularly affect the effects of extreme heat. More than 300 fever-related deaths reported in 2024 were also linked to the substance.

Approximately 77% of fever-related deaths in 2024 occurred outside, with 66% of those deaths reported in urban areas.

In a preliminary report, county officials further highlighted how 88% of indoor fever deaths in 2024 occurred in places with air conditioning units, but 70% of these units were not working.

Fever deaths in Arizona are classified as fever or heat induction. Approximately 61% of fever deaths in 2024 were classified as due to fever. In other words, fever was the direct cause of a person’s death.

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