EXTREME HEAT

Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials have closed several trails after a death and multiple rescues as temperatures remain dangerously high.

Flagstaff, Prescott, Winslow, Page, Show Low and Seligman all saw their average daily temperature increase by at least half a degree from June 1 through August 31.

The National Weather Service says the months of June and July were some of the hottest on record for much of northern Arizona.

Attorney General Kris Mayes is among more than a dozen state attorneys general who want extreme heat and wildfire smoke to be eligible for major federal disaster declarations.

A 50-year-old Texas man died Sunday afternoon while hiking the Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park.

The very hot conditions continue this week across the West. Excessive heat warnings remain in effect for Arizona locations below 4,000 feet where the heat can be particularly dangerous.

Grand Canyon National Park officials say 69-year-old Scott Sims died while hiking along the River Trail near Phantom Ranch Saturday.

The Sedona Fire Department has responded to numerous calls from hikers experiencing heat exhaustion recently. They're urging them to take proper precautions as temperatures remain high.

Portions of northern Arizona are under an excessive heat warning Thursday and Friday as hot temperatures scorch the Southwest.

Parts of Arizona are expected to bake this week as the season's first heat wave arrives.