The heat wave has taken the life of a man staying in a motor home east of Pasco, as triple digit Tri-Cities temperatures continue for a second week.
Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary said the 61-year-old man likely died in his motor home on Wednesday when the temperature of the Tri-Cities reached 108. He was last seen that day and friends found his body when they checked on him Saturday.
Intoxication appeared to contribute to his death. He may have passed out in his motor home, McGary said.
Mid-morning Saturday, the temperature in his motor home was as hot as 112 in some areas, the coroner said. The motor home was in a farming area on Green Road about five miles east of Pasco between the Pasco-Kahlotus highway and the Snake River.
As of Sunday the high temperature in the Tri-Cities had been at least 100 for nine of the past 10 days, and the temperature has been above the normal range since July 4, according to National Weather Service data.
It predicts more highs of at 100 or hotter through at least Sunday, July 21. On Sunday it forecasts a high of 106.
The Weather Channel, which provides a longer forecast, predicts that highs will not cool below triple digits until Tuesday, July 23.
Tri-Cities area residents will get little relief from the heat at night this week. Lows through Saturday night are forecast in the 60s to 70.
Normal highs in mid July in the Tri-Cities are about 93 and normal lows are about 57.
