This year’s heat death toll for Southern Nevada rose to 46 on Thursday, a day after the Clark County coroner’s office released a spreadsheet that listed 29 heat-related deaths.
The updated number comes as Las Vegas braces for 110-degree highs through next week and the county extended its cooling station activation until Wednesday.
The coroner’s office broadened its criteria in 2021 for determining when heat should be considered during a death investigation, and temperatures above 95 degrees are generally when investigators will consider heat illness. It’s widely believed that even the most inclusive standard leaves out deaths from official counts.
Of the 46 active investigations, the coroner provided information about 41.
In a statement, Clark County spokeswoman Stephanie Wheatley reminded the public that certain drugs can elevate the risk of heat illness, as well as cardiovascular disease, physical exertion, inappropriate clothing, lack of acclimatization and poor fluid intake.
Experts say risk factors often compound and that drug use, old age and homelessness often contribute the most.
The average age of those who have died this year is 59; 12 of them are thought to have been homeless and 20 are linked to drug or alcohol use.
Contact Alan Halaly at ahalaly@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlanHalaly on X.
