Signs warn people of extreme heat in Death Valley National Park, California, Tuesday, July 11, 2023. July is the hottest month in the park, with an average maximum temperature of 116°C (46.5°C). (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)
(CNN) — According to a statement from the National Park Service, two men who were driving in Death Valley National Park on July 4 got lost and illegally off-roaded, and one man was taken to hospital with heat stroke. rice field.
In a news release on Tuesday, NPS said charges and fines were pending.
“Death Valley is an awe-inspiring place that demands the utmost respect and preparation,” superintendent Mike Reynolds said in a statement. “We urge visitors to exercise caution and abide by park rules. .”
According to NPS, the pair were navigating with GPS but took a wrong turn in the park. After driving up and down gravel roads for several hours, worried about running out of gas, they decided to try driving directly across the salt flats around midnight.
The man’s car got stuck in mud nearly a mile off the road. The park service said they walked about another mile to the paved Badwater Road, where they walked another 12 miles (19 km) north.
Around 3:00 a.m., the two parted ways. A man was picked up by another visitor around 8 a.m. and drove to Furnace Creek for help.
The lowest temperature that night was 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), according to NPS.
The family who picked him up drove back, found the second man, and took him to Shoshone, Calif., according to NPS. He had symptoms of heat stroke and was taken by ambulance to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, Nevada.
death valley heat wave
Two possible heat-related deaths were reported at the park this summer.
On July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead inside his car, and on July 18, a 71-year-old man was found dead outside a bathroom after temperatures exceeded 120°F (50°C). fell and died.
The NPS announced that the men involved in the July 4 incident had been ordered to appear in court for illegal off-road driving and the resulting damage to the park, with charges and fines pending.
“Vehicles traveling off-road can harm flora and fauna, such as desert tortoises, and often leave scars in the desert that can last for decades,” the NPS news release said. ing.
The men’s car was removed on July 27 using skid steer within the track their car had created to minimize further damage.
Death Valley Essentials: Roadmap
The Parks Authority cautions visitors that cellular service is not available in large parts of the park, and GPS navigation may be unreliable in remote areas such as Death Valley. Visitors should travel with up-to-date road maps.
The park is the largest national park in the United States outside of Alaska, with approximately 1,000 miles of paved and unpaved roads. The Park Service said it’s safest to stay on paved roads during the summer heat.
The park’s website has current warnings for extreme summer heat. “Expect high temperatures of 110°F to 120°F+ (43°C to 49°C+).” Drink plenty of water and bring plenty. Avoid hiking. Do not hike after 10am. Be prepared to survive the trip. In case of heatstroke, move to a cooler place and seek help immediately. ”
CNN wire
