TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Pima County and the City of Tucson will operate 33 cooling centers this year, down from more than 40 in 2024, to avoid spreading resources too thin.

Officials say the strategy focuses on areas that experienced the highest rates of heat-related illnesses and deaths. Last year, 146 heat-related deaths were reported in Pima County, with at least 13 within the 85701 zip code, according to the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner.

“We saw about 14,000 visitors into these centers,” said Betsy Camara, Pima County Emergency Mitigation Program Manager. “So we’re anticipating similar numbers, if not more this year because again, we’re placing them in better places.”

Each cooling center location is accessible by Sun Tran bus routes to encourage residents to use the

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