The 49-year-old, surrounded by bottles of water, knows full well the dangers heat poses to the homeless population. Phoenix, like much of the US southwest, is surrounded by desert, and its 1.6 million residents are used to brutal summer temperatures. ADVERTISEMENTAnd as global warming fuels more frequent extreme weather events, homeless people are increasingly vulnerable to the elements. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and its suburbs, recorded a 25 percent increase last year in heat-related deaths, with 425 fatalities — many among the homeless population. The National Weather Service warns that extreme heat is the top weather-related killer, and has recommended people in Phoenix “stay indoors and seek air-conditioned buildings” during the heat wave.
