Quick access to Arizona’s key heat safety tools and data.

Extreme heat is a serious and growing threat in Arizona—and we're here to help you stay safe, informed, and connected. HEAT.AZ.GOV is your one-stop location for accessing statewide heat safety information, tools, and resources from trusted local, state, and national partners. Whether you're preparing for rising temperatures, looking for a place to cool off, or need assistance during a heat emergency, this page connects you to the support you need.

All resources are organized by topic, so you can quickly find the right information for yourself, your family, your community, or those you serve. This effort represents a collaborative commitment by state agencies, nonprofits, and federal partners to strengthen Arizona’s resilience and response to extreme heat.

Partner Agencies Contributing to Arizona’s Heat Resilience

In 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs asked her Office of Resiliency and the Interagency Resiliency Forum to work with Arizona State agencies to create the first Arizona’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan. The plan presents a coordinated effort, emphasizing collaboration among state agencies to better prepare for extreme heat and enhance community resilience. The following agencies play key roles in this initiative through strategic planning, community outreach, funding, and other essential measures.

  • Arizona Department of Health Services - promotes and protects the health of Arizona’s children and adults and strives to set the standard for personal and community health through direct care, science, public policy, and leadership.
  • Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) - the division of the Industrial Commission that is responsible for the enforcement of ADOSH safety and health standards, regulations, and other provisions, including a prohibition against retaliation for occupational safety or health activity.
  • State Emphasis Program - If you are an employer and would like to get a free evaluation of your worksite or employee training from an ADOSH consultant, please contact our consultation office at (602) 542-1769.
  • Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) - While primarily a healthcare program ensuring access to medical services for heat-related illnesses, AHCCCS providers also refer clients to community assistance programs like cooling centers and utility assistance programs (e.g., LIHEAP). AHCCCS and its partners help individuals access relevant resources and support programs, including information on heat safety and application assistance for various aid programs. This network provides vital connections beyond direct medical care during extreme temperatures.

  • Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) - DES' primary function involves connecting Arizonans to economic and social well-being programs, and also plays a vital role in heat relief by administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps eligible households with cooling costs and utility bills. Furthermore, DES partners with Community Action Agencies statewide that can provide additional assistance with utility bills, offer referrals to cooling centers, and connect individuals with other emergency resources during the hot summer months. Partner organizations help Arizonans navigate services offered by sister agencies (like AHCCCS).
  • Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) - ADOH's primary mission centers on developing, preserving, and investing in affordable housing, and contributes to heat relief through its Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This program helps income-eligible homeowners and renters improve their homes' energy efficiency, directly reducing cooling costs. By providing insulation, weather stripping, and other upgrades, ADOH's WAP enables vulnerable residents to maintain cooler indoor temperatures and lower their utility bills during Arizona's extreme heat. ADOH partners with local agencies to deliver these services statewide.
  • Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) - ADVS' primary mission is to serve and honor Arizona's veterans, service members, and their families by ensuring access to quality services and benefits. ADVS indirectly contributes to heat relief through its financial assistance programs. The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) can provide financial aid for hardships caused by military service, which may include assistance with utility bills to help veterans afford cooling during the extreme heat. Additionally, ADVS connects veterans with various resources. In times of crisis, this network could potentially link veterans to emergency assistance, including information on heat relief sites, although this is not a primary function of the department. ADVS also partners with other organizations that may directly provide heat-related assistance.

  • Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) - DEMA’s primary function is coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities for all hazards, including extreme heat. DEMA works closely with local governments, first responders, and non-profit organizations to establish and support heat relief infrastructure during emergencies. DEMA provides resources and guidance to communities on developing heat response plans. DEMA coordinates state-level responses and resource allocation when local capabilities are overwhelmed by heat-related emergencies.

  • Arizona State Parks and Trails - AZ State Parks actively promotes heat safety to ensure visitors can enjoy Arizona's natural beauty responsibly and safely during the hot summer months They provide information and recommendations on their website and within parks about the dangers of extreme heat, emphasizing hydration, appropriate clothing, and the best times to hike. Some parks may have water stations and shaded rest areas. Some popular trails may have restricted access during extreme heat warnings to protect visitor safety and minimize the need for rescues.
  • Arizona Office of Tourism - The Arizona Office of Tourism actively shares heat safety tips and resources on VisitArizona.com, in travel guides, and via social media. This outreach aims to educate visitors and residents on preventing heat-related illnesses and encourages safe exploration of the state, particularly during summer months when temperatures are extreme in Arizona.

  • Governor’s Office of Resiliency (OOR) & Interagency Resiliency Forum (IRF) - The Governor's Office of Resiliency (OOR) and the Interagency Resiliency Forum (IRF) play a crucial coordinating role in preparing for and responding to various challenges, including extreme heat, working to develop statewide resilience strategies, facilitate collaboration among agencies, and promote best practices for mitigating the impacts of heat on Arizona communities and infrastructure.
  • Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) - The Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) focuses on state operations and services and ensures the continuity of essential state functions during emergencies. During heat emergencies, this can include maintaining critical infrastructure and supporting state employee safety, indirectly contributing to the overall resilience of the state during heat emergencies.
  • Arizona Lottery - Arizona Lottery is adding heat safety messages to points of sale to help promote heat safety and awareness.
  • Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) - The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), focuses on poverty reduction and community development, directly impacting heat resilience through programs addressing housing, utility assistance, or community support services to help people cope with extreme heat.
  • Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) - The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) oversees the insurance industry and state-chartered financial institutions in Arizona, ensuring they operate securely and in compliance with state laws. DIFI aims to protect consumers by regulating these industries and handling related inquiries and complaints. DIFI's regulation of insurance companies can indirectly relate to heat-related incidents through insurance claims for weather-related property damage or workers' compensation related to heat-related illness.
  • Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry (ADCRR)- ADCRR is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals. This includes implementing measures to prevent heat-related illnesses within correctional facilities, both for inmates and staff. Their protocols address hydration, temperature control, training, and medical care during extreme heat.

Cooling Centers will give you a necessary respite from extreme heat .

Workout indoors.
If you are able, do your physical activity inside. You can use a gym, recreational center, or even walk in a mall.

Limit activity to the coolest part of the day.
Schedule physical activity during the coolest part of the day, usually between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Pace activity.
Start by doing activities slowly. Gradually increase the pace and intensity over time as your body becomes acclimated to the heat.

Dress for the heat.
Wear loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing.

If hiking, pick a mild trail.
Choose a trail that’s fairly level and offers shade. Try to be at the trailhead right at dawn.

Drink water.
Drink more water than usual when engaging in your physical activity. Do not wait until you are thirsty–drink before, during, and after activity.