Woman suffers third-degree burns after walking barefoot in Death Valley

Death Valley National Park Ranger Roberto Mendez stands next to the temperature display outside Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Death Valley National Park Ranger Roberto Mendez stands next to the temperature display outside Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Photo: Courtesy Death Valley National Park Photo: Courtesy Death Valley National Park Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Woman suffers third-degree burns after walking barefoot in Death Valley 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Death Valley National Park temperatures are reaching furnace-hot highs this week as a heat wave engulfs the Western United States.

The park's world-famous giant thermometer hit 120 Saturday, soared to 124 Sunday, sunk to 123 Monday, is expected to top out at 126 Tuesday, the first day of summer, according to the National Weather Service.

Just how hot is it outside when the temperature is above 120 degrees? Hot enough to turn the dessert floor into an oven.

A heat warning issued by Death Valley this week includes news of a woman who suffered third-degree burns after walking about a half-mile on hot sand in June. The unnamed woman lost her sandals in Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and required ambulance transportation to a hospital after her walk.

"The temperature of the sand was not recorded, but touching a 120° F surface for over five minutes can cause burns of that severity," the release reads. "Ground temperatures are generally significantly higher than official temperatures, which are recorded about 4 feet off the ground in the shade. Ground temperatures over 200° F have been measured in Death Valley. To put that in perspective, 160° F is sufficient to cook meat."

Abby Wines, a spokesperson for the park, says that she's never heard of anyone burning their feel like this in the park in the 12 years she has been working there.

"Every summer we have at least a few days that are over 125," Wines said. "Maybe a few summers it will reach 129. Not every summer."

The park's record was reached back in 1913 when the high soared to 134 degrees.

That high has even come close to being beat, as Wines says, "We haven't been above 129 since hitting that record."