Kentucky officials urge caution to those hiking in hot temperatures

WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — With temperatures soaring across the nation and here in Kentucky, the intense heat has made any hike risky and even deadly. But before you grab your backpack and lace up your shoes, hiking and safety officials urge caution if you do decide to hike in hot temperatures.

Over the weekend, the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team (WCSAR) responded to two calls for heat-related illnesses.

On Sunday , the team treated a woman who was suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration in the area of Hanson’s point.

John May, chief of the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team, said these types of rescues always increase when it gets dangerously hot, adding that his team has already responded to around five calls for heat-related incidents so far this summer. He urges hikers to bring extra water and take frequent breaks to stay cool.

“Kentucky’s known for hot temperatures and humidity, and we’ve been seeing that over the past week or so, and it’s kind of an unknown statistic, but 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated,” May said. “So, you know, we’re just all walking around, not drinking enough fluids, you know, day to day, and then when you get outside in hot temperatures with high humidity and you’re, you know, physically exerting yourself, you know, that just complicates or compounds the problem even more.”

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS

• Lexington woman charged after firing multiple shots at occupied vehicle twice
• Pedestrian hit by car in Lexington on 4th of July
• Anderson County man sentenced for trafficking resulting in overdose death

Hiking in the heat can get very dangerous very quickly, and it becomes even more dangerous when first responders have to conduct a rescue. Using intense labor and heavy equipment puts a lot of strain on rescue crews. Chief May said every rescue comes with great risk for everyone involved.

“We have had incidents in the past where first responders became ill as well and actually several years ago, we had a couple of first responders on our team that ended up in a hospital due to heat, you know, dehydration, heat exhaustion,” May said. “We’re really exerting if we’re carrying someone plus all the gear; you know, sometimes it may be a technical-type operation where we’re carrying in heavy equipment for miles and we wear helmets for our own safety, which, you know, can be problematic when it’s super-hot.”

If you do lace up your boots and go hiking in this heat, May recommends wearing loose clothing, bringing plenty of water, and giving someone your location in case you get lost.

It’s best to hike in the morning and try to stay on shady trails and out of direct sunlight if possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.