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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
1 dead, 4 rescued in Arizona mountains while hiking amid rising temperatures
PHOENIX – One hiker has died, and four others were rescued in the Arizona mountains due to apparent heat-related issues, according to authorities. The tragic incident happened just after 1 p.m. Sunday in the Superstition Mountains, a popular recreation destination for Phoenix-area residents, the Superstition Fire and Medical District (SFMD) said. Terrified Hiker Holds Death Grip In Dramatic Nail-biting Cliffside Rescue In California With help from the Mesa Fire Department and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, first responders responded to the mountain rescue call involving five individuals reportedly suffering from heat illness, firefighters said. Despite the swift response, one of the hikers succumbed to the extreme conditions. The remaining four individuals were successfully assisted down the mountain but declined transportation to a hospital. Temperatures in the area on Sunday afternoon were about 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. "As temperatures climb, so does the risk," SFMD said. "Heat illness can set in fast, even for experienced hikers." Rescuers Run Into Celebrity While Searching For Missing California Hiker In National Forest Arizona summers frequently see temperatures exceeding 110 degrees. Under such conditions, heat exhaustion or heatstroke can develop in less than an hour, according to officials. In addition, the majority of heat-related fatalities on trails occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the hottest part of the day. Avoid hiking in extreme heat, especially during Extreme Heat Warnings. Hikers are also advised to always carry significantly more water than anticipated – a minimum of one liter per hour of hiking is recommended. "Please stay safe and plan wisely," SFMD said. "No hike is worth your life."Original article source: 1 dead, 4 rescued in Arizona mountains while hiking amid rising temperatures
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
One dead on hiking trail after authorities respond to ‘heat issues' call
One person died after a group of hikers reportedly ran out of water on a popular Arizona hiking trail as temperatures soared to 100 degrees on an unseasonably hot Mother's Day. Rescue teams responded to a group of five hikers in the Superstition Mountains near Gold Canyon, about 40 miles east of Phoenix, after receiving a call at just before 1 p.m. Sunday, officials said. The group had been hiking for about six hours before the Supersition Fire and Medical District and the Mesa Fire Department were alerted to one person suffering a heat-related medical emergency on the Wave Cave Trail. Officials speculated that a 33-year-old man, who has not yet been identified, had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest before falling unconscious about three-quarters of a mile away from the trailhead, according to local CBS News affiliate Arizona Family. One person from the group reportedly made it to the trailhead and was able to flag authorities down. According to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, fellow hikers began resuscitation efforts before first responders arrived and administered multiple rounds of CPR. The department confirmed that the four other hikers were not injured and were assisted down the mountain. According to an SFMD statement, they 'refused transport to the hospital. " The group told fire crews they had run out of water, according to the local news outlet. No foul play was suspected in the man's death, the sheriff's office said. The Pinal County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. Officials discouraged people from returning to the area for the rest of the day. 'As temperatures climb, so does the risk. Heat illness can set in fast, even for experienced hikers,' the SFMD said. Delaney Krieger, an avid hiker from Phoenix, said it felt 'surreal' learning of the man's death, having planned to hike the Wave Cave trail before the incident. 'It feels very surreal to think about what happened to someone today. It's horrible. I feel so bad for him,' she said. 'The desert can be a really dangerous place, not only because of animals and plants but because of the heat, mostly.' Temperatures reached uncharacteristic spring highs on Sunday. Due to high ozone levels, an air quality alert was also in effect throughout the day. Fire crews urged hikers to hydrate several days in advance if they were braving the heat. 'You really want to pre-hydrate several days in advance. And then also, heat acclimation – changing temperatures,' SFMD Fire Chief Daniel Elliot said. 'Maybe don't start off with such a long hike. Get outdoors a little bit and have progression.'
