Death Toll Rises from Arkansas Heat

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Arkansas Department of Health says it's confirmed three more people have died due to heat this year.

That brings the total number of heat-related deaths for 2011 to 9. The department doesn't release information about when and where the deaths occurred, citing concerns about privacy.

Arkansas has been blanketed by historic heat this summer. Little Rock, Fort Smith and Fayetteville have set all-time high temperatures. Some cities have seen heat indexes rise above 120 degrees.

The department says 23 heat-related deaths occurred last year.