Overview
- Park rangers reported that two separate incidents on June 12 and June 16 resulted in three deaths that park officials say appear to be heat-related.
- The victims were a 72-year-old man found on the South Kaibab Trail and a 67-year-old man and 68-year-old woman found on the North Kaibab Trail.
- Rangers and emergency teams, including aerial support, reached the scenes but found all three hikers deceased and transferred the bodies to the Coconino County Medical Examiner while investigations continue.
- The National Weather Service has issued extreme-heat watches forecasting temperatures that could reach or exceed 110–111°F at low-elevation canyon locations and the NPS strongly urges avoiding inner-canyon hikes during peak midday hours.
- The park notes inner-canyon conditions are 20–25°F hotter than the rim, water and shade are limited, rescues can be delayed in remote terrain, and officials warn older adults, young children and people with health conditions to reschedule visits.