Fire crews have been called to conduct multiple mountain rescues amid extreme heat in the Valley on Sunday, including one involving multiple children.
North Mountain
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The first incident occurred at North Mountain at 6:30 a.m., when fire crews were called to rescue a paraglider that had been hooked on a power wire.
According to reports, the paraglider, identified only as a man, collided with and destroyed a power pole. The man was able to get free of his harness and onto a rock before being helped down the mountain.
He did not sustain any significant injuries.
South Mountain
A separate incident occurred before noon, when fire crews were dispatched to South Mountain for reports of many hikers in danger.
According to fire officials, five adults and six children began hiking on Holbert Trail at 10 a.m. Around two hours into their journey, several children began to complain of heat and tiredness and were unable to proceed.
Mountain rescue teams raced to the scene and assisted the hikers with “rapid cooling” procedures before utilizing a “big wheel basket” to transport a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old down the path.
We helped all the hikers down the mountain, and none required hospital treatment.
The Holbert Trail is one of the trails that has been closed.
“There were numerous signs posted stating that the trail was closed for hiking activity,” Phoenix Fire officials say.
Dreamy Draw Park
A third mountain rescue occurred in Dreamy Draw Park.
According to Phoenix Fire authorities, a 55-year-old hiker who began his hike at 8 a.m. had to be carried down the mountain after becoming exhausted on one of the trails. The individual was sent to a hospital in stable condition for medical care.
Phoenix experienced a high temperature of 114º on Sunday, prompting an Extreme Heat Warning.
