With temperatures reaching triple-digits already, the Maricopa Association of Governments will open cooling centers earlier than planned.

The 12 emergency heat relief stations open April 26.

The heat relief centers are in Salvation Army locations across the Valley.

The Maricopa Association of Governments says it will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to maintain social distancing within its cooling centers. But the association expects this will be a difficult summer for heat relief with many public buildings closed and some provisions in short supply amid the pandemic. The association says it’s in need of donations of cases of water bottles.

The Maricopa Association of Governments' Heat Relief Network will officially launch May 1 with additional cooling centers. 

Nearly 200 people in Arizona died of heat-related causes last year.