Motorcyclist dies from heat exposure in Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, California – A motorcyclist died on Saturday while riding through Death Valley National Park in temperatures as high as 59 degrees Celsius.

A group of motorcyclists riding through the park on Saturday were treated for severe heat illness, two were taken to Las Vegas for medical care and a third died of heat exposure near Badwater Basin, according to the National Park Service. Four other motorcyclists were treated at the scene and released.

According to the NPS, rescue helicopters were unable to respond due to extreme heat, as the record high temperature was 138 degrees Fahrenheit. Saturday’s high temperature surpassed the daily record for Death Valley previously set in 2007.

When the heat index exceeds 99 degrees, the ambient air provides no relief from the heat and heat-related illnesses can occur.

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“In addition to not being able to cool down while riding due to the high ambient temperatures, experiencing Death Valley by motorcycle in this heat is another challenge, as one must wear heavy protective gear to avoid injury in the event of an accident,” the NPS said.

Mike Reynolds, director of Death Valley National Park, warns visitors to be cautious during California’s extreme heat.

The view of Death Valley National Park in August, the hottest and driest park in the country in California and Nevada. (Image: Robert Ray/FOX Weather)

(FOX Weather)

“High heat like this can pose a real health threat,” Reynolds said in a statement. “While it is very exciting to experience potentially world-record temperatures in Death Valley, we advise visitors to choose their activities carefully and avoid spending extended periods of time outside of an air-conditioned vehicle or building when temperatures are this high.”

This week, heat warnings were in effect for more than 166 million people in the Western United States, including parts of Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A heat warning is in effect for Death Valley and the western Mojave Desert through Friday night. Daytime temperatures at Furnace Creek in the park are expected to be between 50 and 53 degrees Celsius.

Last week, a man died while hiking in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park due to extreme heat.