News Release

Heatwave and power outage July 2024

The thermometer display at Furnace Creek Visitor Center stopped working while displaying 667°F. Park staff say it was reseting itself after a power bump when the power completely went off.

NPS

News Release Date: July 15, 2024

Contact: Abby Wines

Contact: Nichole Andler, 760-786-3279

Contact: Matt Lamar, 760-786-3284

UPDATE: The power outage was caused by a blown-down pole on the power line between the substation and Cow Creek. It is not possible to drive to that section of the pole line, so SCE used a helicopter to replace the downed pole. Power was fully restored at 7 pm on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. 

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DEATH VALLEY, Calif. –Death Valley National Park reached at least 125°F (51.7°C) for nine consecutive days, July 4-12. Now areas of the park are dealing with a multiday power outage during temperatures above 120°F.

A thunderstorm triggered the power outage around 4:45 pm on Saturday, July 13. The issue is on a powerline from a Southern California Edison (SCE) substation leading to Furnace Creek Visitor Center, National Park Service (NPS) offices, and employee housing. SCE supplied a large generator, and Furnace Creek Visitor Center reopened on Monday morning. NPS housing and offices are still without power. The affected employees, families, and pets have evacuated to nearby hotels. 

Park visitors were only affected by the Visitor Center closure. Hotels, restaurants, and gas stations in the park did not lose power.

Average high temperatures in July are 117°F (47°F). The recent heat wave included three daily heat records and peaked at 129.3°F (53.9°C) on July 7. This was the park’s second-longest streak of high temperatures at or above 125 degrees, just behind the ten-day streak measured in 1913.

The National Park Service encourages park visitors to stay safe in the summer by not hiking at low elevations after 10 am, staying within a short walk of air conditioning, drinking plenty of water, and eating salty snacks.