"Can you bake cookies in your car on a hot summer day?" – National Park rangers show just how extreme current conditions are

The recent heat wave sweeping the western US has claimed several lives at National Parks , but that's not stopping people from visiting. So some park rangers at Badlands National Park recently performed an experiment to show just how extreme the current conditions really are.

Like many areas, the South Dakota park has been under an Excessive Heat Warning recently, but instead of issuing the same dire warnings that seem to fall on deaf ears, the rangers decided to pull out the cookie dough.

"It's been over a hundred degrees at Badlands for the last few days, so the rangers decided to make the best of it by testing a classic hypothesis - can you bake cookies in your car on a hot summer day?" write the rangers in a Facebook post.

Photos of the experiment, which you can view below, reveal that the conditions inside a locked car right now are plenty hot enough to provide you with a tasty afternoon snack.

"Not only did the cookies bake, they also cooked completely through AND had justttt the right amount of gooey goodness in the center - total, yummy perfection!"

Great news for rangers, but bad news for you and your pets. Though the experiment and post were conducted in a lighthearted manner, the underlying message is clear: don't leave your pets inside a locked car this summer.

"If we can bake cookies in a hot car, NO animal should be sitting in those conditions."

Many National Parks don't allow dogs on the trail, so if you're intent on visiting one with your pooch this summer, check out our guide to the best dog-friendly National Parks so you can be sure you don't have to choose between endangering your dog and getting on the trail.

Posted by BadlandsNPS on

Staying safe in hot weather

Needless to say, such hot conditions are dangerous for you too. Last week, we reported on three deaths at western National Parks due to the heat wave and another three were reported over the weekend at Canyonlands National Park .

Carry plenty of water and have an emergency plan in place if your car breaks down in a remote area. If you're hiking, the rangers issued the following advice for staying safe:

• Carry and drink plenty of water and eat salty snacks
• Hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon
• Practice sun protection and wear a brimmed hat and loose hiking pants and top
• Take frequent breaks
• Know the signs of heatstroke

Learn more in our article on hiking in hot weather .

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