OKLAHOMA CITY – EMSA issued a Medical Heat Alert for the state of Oklahoma June 30.
A Medical Heat Alert is declared in the event of EMSA responding to five or more heat-related illness calls in a 24-hour period.
In June 2026, 55 heat-related illness calls in the OKC area and 38 patients were transported to local hospitals due to heat-related illness complications.
There is a spectrum of heat-related illnesses, per the Cleveland Clinic:
- Heat rash: Red, stinging rash that develops when a person is hot and sweaty. It’s most likely to develop in areas where sweat is trapped, such as elbows and knees.
- Heat cramps: Painful muscle cramps that are caused by exercising in hot weather. They develop when the body loses salt and fluids from excessive sweating.
- Heat exhaustion: This occurs when the body cannot cool itself through sweating. If untreated, heat exhaustion can develop into heat stroke.
- Heat stroke: This is the most severe heat-related illness. Body temperature elevates to dangerous levels. The body may even stop sweating.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Heat exhaustionHeat stroke…