By Dan McCarthy
Mail

Heat relief sites throughout Maricopa County open Friday, May 1, and cities across the Valley are announcing programs and restrictions that will be in place through the summer.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the Maricopa Association of Governments officially launch the 2026 Heat Relief Network on Friday.

The HRN will provide free, cooled spaces and other resources to the public through Sept. 30, county officials stated in a release. Established in 2005, the regional effort brings together government, nonprofit, faith-based organizations and businesses to protect people most at risk from extreme heat and reduce heat-related deaths.

“Heat affects every corner of our community, and preventing heat-related deaths takes effort from all of us,” Kelli Donley Williams, MCDPH deputy director, said.

“When people know where to find help and feel supported, it makes a real difference. That’s why it’s so important that residents know their risk, know where to go for relief and look out for one another.”

 The interactive heat relief man can be viewed at hrn.azmag.gov. It includes more than 200 locations, including indoor cooling centers, respite sites where people can rest for extended periods, hydration stations and donation drop-off locations.

Users can search based on their needs and view details such as hours of operation, services offered and key site features, including pet-friendly locations.

“Extreme heat is one of the most serious, predictable challenges our region faces each year and providing relief requires a strong collaborative response,” MAG Executive Director Audra Koester Thomas said.

“The Heat Relief Network exemplifies the power of regionalism by bringing together partners across Maricopa County to ensure residents know where to go, how to stay safe and that help is within reach during hot summer days.”

For those needing assistance by phone, 211 Arizona operators will take calls, in English and Spanish, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily to help find nearby cooling centers, utility assistance programs or other resources, according to the county.

An annual fire ban will be in place from May 1 until Sept. 30 in Phoenix, according to the city’s parks and recreation department.

The fire ban follows Maricopa County Air Quality Department burn activity regulations, which prohibit outdoor fires from May 1 through Sept. 30 throughout the county, including all regional parks. 

During the fire ban, the following are prohibited in Phoenix preserves: 

• Campfires
• Fire pits
• Charcoal grills

The following activity is permitted: 

• Gas or propane grills in ramadas and designated picnic areas.

For more: phoenix.gov/parks/trails.

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as those meet our  Civility Guidelines.

Dan McCarthy
Web content

dmccarthy@iniusa.org

Meet Dan
Dan McCarthy joined Independent Newsmedia as web content editor after a 40-plus year career as a reporter and editor in New Jersey and Arizona. During his time in Arizona, he has been an editor of daily and weekly papers in Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Peoria and Glendale. Prior to moving to Arizona in 1984, when he was hired to be assistant city editor at the Tempe Daily News, he covered regional police/fire news, municipal, county and state governments in New Jersey, the latter as bureau chief at the state Capitol.

Community: He has served on several boards over the years, including the Tempe Community Action Agency and the Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Governors. He is a graduate of the Tempe Leadership and Scottsdale Leadership programs, serving as media adviser for subsequent classes of Tempe Leadership.

Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. 

Random Fact: Set winter/summer track records in the 60-, 100- and 220-yard dashes at his high school in New Jersey. 

Hobbies: Tai chi, cooking, dining at his must-eat-once places around the U.S. and the Cincinnati Reds, his favorite team since 1961.