Phoenix firefighters responded to three separate emergencies on Camelback Mountain Tuesday, urging hikers to know their limits as record heat grips the Valley.
PHOENIX, Arizona — Three back-to-back rescues near the Echo Canyon Trailhead on Camelback Mountain kept Phoenix firefighters busy Tuesday, all in record-breaking heat.
It started around 11:30 a.m. when a woman slipped and hurt her ankle a quarter of the way up the mountain. While crews assessed her, a second woman went dizzy a third of the way up. Then a man fell and needed help too.
Two of the three hikers were hoisted off the mountain. The man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other two refused transport.
‘You’re putting your firefighters at risk too’
Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller says while crews are trained and prepared to respond, the extreme heat is something they never take lightly.
“I know that we’re going on them quite a few times a week,” Keller said. “You have to remember, you’re not only putting yourself at risk, you’re putting your firefighters at risk, you’re putting your first responders at risk too.”
Keller says the department is optimistic this isn’t a sign of what’s to come but says Tuesday’s rescues serve as a timely reminder.
“We hope not, but this is a great reminder, please hike in the cooler parts of the day,” he said. “Wear proper footwear, bring a fully charged cell phone, take your time. It’s easy to run down the mountain, it’s hard to run up. Make your trip a round-trip ticket.”
He also shared a simple rule of thumb: when your water bottle is halfway gone, your hike should be halfway over.
Tips from a seasoned hiker
Chandler hiker Carter Schmitz says he takes extra precautions when hitting the trails in the heat, including packing extra water and sunscreen.
“Camelbacks are really nice, maybe it’s a little bit more weight on the body, but an extra water bottle, a granola bar or an apple,” Schmitz said. “I usually like something at the top. If you need a little snack or a little boost of energy, you have it just in case.”
What you should know before you hike
Phoenix Fire officials are urging hikers to keep these tips in mind before heading out:
Hike early or late — avoid peak heat hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.Bring more water than you think you needWear proper footwearCarry a fully charged cell phoneKnow your limits — turn around before you’re too tired or too hot to get back down safely