Deadly 2026 heat season shatters state records for heat-related emergency calls, fatalities

The annual Maryland heat season ended with record-breaking heat-related illnesses and deaths: The 61 fatalities shattered the 2012 record of 42 deaths, and 1,657 emergency calls topped last year's 1,634, the previous record. Health experts point to climate change.

By: Danielle J. Brown

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: October 9, 2026

Words: 759

Last Updated: 4 days, 15 hours ago

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The annual Maryland heat season ended with a record-breaking year for heat-related illnesses and deaths, with the state reporting that 61 Marylanders died due to hyperthermia in the season that ended Sept. 30.

It shattered the previous record of 42 fatalities, set in 2012, according to available public data, and came close to doubling last year’s 34 deaths, continuing a troubling four-year rise in heat-related fatalities.

This heat season also saw the highest number …

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