Despite mild summer so far in Las Vegas, extreme heat remains deadly, and it’s getting worse

It’s the longest day of the year today in terms of hours of sunlight. All of that sunlight has meant the return of one of Nevada’s most dangerous killers: extreme heat.

It’s been a remarkably mild early summer — more like an extended spring. But extreme heat, the type that poses serious health risks from immediate illnesses such as dehydration and heat stroke as well as long-term impacts due to reduced air quality, inevitably, is coming soon.

Those risks affect vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and pregnant women the most. But with high temperatures in Las Vegas expected to remain in the triple digits for the next three months, all of us could benefit from a crash course in staying safe in extreme heat.

According to the Clark County Coroner’s office, heat-related deaths have skyrocketed over the past decade. Approximately 250 people in Clark County have lost their lives to heat-related illness in each of the past two years. That’s slightly more than the number of people murdered or killed in traffic collisions in those same years. The death toll of extreme heat is likely higher than the numbers reported, as extreme heat can aggravate preexisting conditions such as diabetes, causing a deadly chain reaction.

And the heat is only getting worse. Las Vegas is one of the fastest-warming cities in the United States. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that urban Clark County air temperatures have increased by 5.8 degrees since 1970.

While much attention has been paid to the impact of a warming climate on water resources, there is less conversation on the topic of deadly heat. Lawmakers at both the state and national levels have failed to address the threat posed by extreme heat, leaving Americans — especially those who labor outdoors — to pay the price.

Earlier this year, the Nevada Legislature took up Senate Bill 427, which would have provided some protections for workers who labor in extreme heat. Under the law, employers would have been required to provide basic necessities such as shade and water breaks on days when the temperature crossed certain thresholds. It also would have required employees to complete basic training to help them identify signs of severe heat-related illness. Following opposition from pro-business lobbyists, the bill died, as did regulations proposed by the Division of Industrial Relations that contained similar provisions.

We have been harsh critics of Gov. Joe Lombardo for vetoing lifesaving legislation like reasonable gun control, but Lombardo cannot bear the blame for Nevada’s lack of state-specific protections for workers who labor in the hot summer sun. Democrats controlled both chambers of the Legislature this session yet failed to put a bill on the governor’s desk that could have saved hundreds of lives. This must change.

While the 2023 legislative session has concluded, it is never too early to call for legislation in the 2025 session. More immediately, Clark County could take direct action to address risks and education related to extreme heat. But given that climate change is not unique to Nevada, a national campaign is needed.

In the same way that the U.S. Forest Service created Smokey Bear to educate a generation of Americans to the dangers and prevention of forest fires, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should create a robust and engaging heat advisory system that educates on the risks and best practices related to extreme heat.

Too many Americans, even in Southern Nevada, are unaware that headache, fever and chills are not only signs of a viral infection, but also of severe dehydration and heat stroke. Other signs include not urinating or producing very dark urine, having dry skin that doesn’t bounce back when pinched, dizziness or lightheadedness, and confusion or disorientation.

Parents and pet owners must also be reminded that “just a few seconds” without proper ventilation or air conditioning is all it takes before children and pets face significant threats to their health, safety and even their lives. Despite decades of tragedy, there continue to be deaths each year in Nevada and across the country because someone left their kids or pets in a car “only for a second ...”

Other aspects of education might include tips for avoiding exposure such as how often to reapply sunscreen and the types of fabrics that limit exposure without holding in sweat or increasing body temperature.

Regardless of the specific content, more must be done to educate the public about the dangers of extreme heat.

Last but certainly not least, more must be done to protect homeless communities, especially in the desert southwest. Clark County’s system of cooling stations at local libraries and community centers is a good first step, and credit is deserved for the effort. However, many of the facilities close early in the afternoon, remain closed all or part of the weekend, and offer little or no support for pets — all of which are solvable problems.

The debate is over about the existence of climate change and the related aridification and warming of the West. The impacts are real, deadly and getting worse with each year. We must learn to perceive heat as a serious threat to health and safety, and demand that our elected leaders act. If we don’t, Southern Nevada will be on the losing end of continued deadly interactions with extreme heat.