Death Valley becomes destination spot during ongoing heat wave
INYO COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Death Valley visitors are drawn to the hottest spot on Earth during the ongoing heat wave with temperatures expected to hit 130 degrees.
"It feels hot...very hot," said one Death Valley visitor.
"I work at a pool, and so I'm used to the sun. This is a whole level of different sun," said another Death Valley visitor.
Inside the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, in the middle of Death Valley National Park, a quote from Edna Brush Perkins, written on the walls, reads, "How could rocks and sand and silence make us afraid and yet be so wonderful?" Perhaps its that sentiment that draws so many to Death Valley.
"I mean it's hot. But that's why we're here. It's like, go in July. If we're going to experience the hottest place on earth, let's experience it," another Death Valley visitor expressed.
"Heat seekers"
These "heat seekers," as the park rangers call them, aren't new. They are aways coming out when the temperatures climb.
"The afternoon people have been crowding our thermometer just waiting for that number to tick upwards," said Giovanna Bonce, a park ranger.
There was talk about record breaking temperatures over the weekend. The all-time high of 134 came in 1913, but hitting "only" 128 on Sunday and 123 on Monday.
Temperatures so hot, a news camera overheated.
"Whenever there's buzz about the record-breaking temps, we do see people, again, flocking to this place," Bonce shared.
Safety concerns
But the high temps, of course, comes with safety concerns. A 65-year-old man was found dead in his car on July 3 in Death Valley. Extreme heat appearing to be the cause.
"If your car breaks down, you definitely want to stay with the car. Especially if the air conditioning is working because you just want to stay inside stay cool until someone drives by, or someone can help, but yeah, you don't want to abandon your vehicle," Bonce declared.
Every year, park rangers say one to three people die from heat-related illness. Despite those concerns, Death Valley still drawing in those willing to risk it.
"We're just having a good time in the hottest place right now. It keeps getting hotter and it's great," said one Death Valley visitor.
