HEAT

A new study found that rural residents are more likely to have preexisting health conditions that make them sensitive to heat, like asthma or heart disease.

The Madison and Firehole Rivers, and their tributaries, will be closed from 2 p.m. to dawn the next day, as well as the Gibbon River and all its tributaries downstream of Norris Campground.

According to recent reporting, shelters are at capacity, especially on reservations with underfunded infrastructure. And climate change is compounding the problem.

According to new findings, more than 20,000 people have died from heat in the U.S. over the last quarter-century — and the problem looks like it’s getting worse.

Folks with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant people are advised to avoid excessive exertion and to keep outdoor activities light and short during periods of poor air quality.

Earlier this month, a heat wave broke records across the country and also hit Wyoming hard. Most counties in the eastern part of the state were under heat advisories for multiple days. But the heat didn’t just impact air temperatures, it also took a toll on water ecosystems. The increased heat is impacting rivers, fish and the guides that rely on them.

Some rivers in Yellowstone National Park will be closed to fishing starting July 15. That’s because of warm water temperatures and low river flows. It’s meant to help protect the park’s trout fisheries.

Heat advisories have been issued for much of eastern Wyoming from noon on Thursday to Sunday night. Those advisories include the areas around Bighorn Basin, Wind River Basin, and Natrona and Johnson counties.

Currently, there is no national standard for worker protection during extreme heat, only a patchwork of state guidelines. New federal guidelines call for minimum standards, such as access to water and shade, and an acclimation period for new workers.

As the summer months approach, new polling data shows that many voters are worried about the effects of extreme heat.