Over 400 Treated for Heat Illness at Arizona Airshow

Record temperatures continue to bake the Western U.S.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:54pm

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More than 400 people attending an airshow in Glendale, Arizona were treated for heat-related illnesses as record-shattering temperatures reached 105 degrees in Phoenix, the third straight day the city has topped 100 degrees. At least 25 people were hospitalized, with the majority being under 12 or over 60 and having pre-existing medical conditions.

Why it matters

The extreme heat wave sweeping across the Western U.S. is putting a strain on public events and infrastructure, with the airshow incident highlighting the risks posed by the record temperatures. This event comes as part of a broader pattern of high temperatures breaking records across the region, underscoring the growing challenge of adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The details

On Saturday, the temperature in Phoenix reached 105 degrees for the third straight day, tying a record for March. Dozens of other locations across the West have also broken high-temperature records since Thursday, including Tucson, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Denver. The hot weather has also stretched into the Midwest and Great Plains, with cities like Omaha, Wichita, and Kansas City all reaching the 90s.

  • On Saturday, the temperature in Phoenix reached 105 degrees.
  • This was the third straight day the city has topped 100 degrees.

The players

David Berkland

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. and commander of Luke Air Force Base, where the airshow was held.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

Extreme heat warnings remain in effect for parts of southern California, Nevada and Arizona on Sunday, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson and Lake Havasu. Phoenix is likely to surpass the 100-degree mark again on Sunday, the fourth-straight day the city is expected to top that temperature.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing public health risks posed by the extreme heat waves driven by climate change, and the need for event organizers and local authorities to be prepared to respond to heat-related emergencies, especially for vulnerable populations.