Heat, holiday weekend kept local Pittsburgh hospitals, emergency responders busy
While thousands celebrated the Independence Day holiday across Pittsburgh, local hospitals and public safety officials stayed busy responding to fireworks-related injuries, heat-related illnesses and holiday events.
Dangerous heat settled into the region early in the week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s beginning June 30. Combined with high humidity, heat index values frequently approached or exceeded 100 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service to issue extreme heat warnings and heat advisories across Western Pennsylvania.
Officials repeatedly warned residents to limit time outdoors, stay hydrated and check on vulnerable neighbors as overnight temperatures remained unusually warm, offering little relief.
The stretch of oppressive heat continued through the Fourth of July before thunderstorms brought the heat wave to an end Saturday evening, when the warnings and advisories expired. Although temperatures eased somewhat after the holiday, forecasters said humidity would remain high and above-average temperatures were expected to continue for some time. Flash flooding warnings triggered by weekend downpours could continue this evening and later as more potential storm activity heads toward the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Allegheny Health Network reported an increase in emergency care during the recent heat wave. Over the past week, emergency departments across the network saw a three- to fivefold increase in heat-related injuries, an AHN spokesperson said.
And during the holiday weekend, the AHN West Penn Burn Center treated approximately a dozen patients for burns and other injuries related to fireworks, campfires and grills.
The tally at UPMC was similar: More than a dozen patients were treated for hand and eye injuries caused by fireworks or sparklers over the holiday weekend, according to a UPMC spokesperson.
While the number of patients was similar to last year, officials said this year's injuries were more severe, with some requiring surgery.
The city of Pittsburgh's Department of Public Safety reported a relatively quiet Fourth of July celebration within the official event footprint on the North Shore and Point State Park, according to a news report.
Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS crews responded to seven calls for service and transported two people to local hospitals. Pittsburgh Bureau of Police made no arrests and issued no citations within the event footprint.
Elsewhere in Downtown, officers cited or detained 19 juveniles, arrested five adults, recovered three firearms and recovered one fake firearm.
To address illegal fireworks, the city's Fireworks Task Force, made up of Pittsburgh firefighters and police officers, was reactivated July 3-5.
The task force responded to 17 calls each on July 3 and 5, and 57 calls on July 4 as it enforced safety regulations and responded to complaints citywide, according to the report.
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