UPDATE 4:50 p.m.:
Authorities are urging hikers to exercise extreme caution after seven people, including a 15-month-old child, were rescued from Sabino Canyon on Sunday following a heat-related emergency.
WATCH | PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF CHRIS NANOS ON RESCUE EFFORT:
Sabino Canyon, a popular hiking and recreation area in the Coronado National Forest northeast of Tucson, often draws crowds in the summer months despite soaring temperatures.
"It’s almost daily, it really is, especially on weekends," said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, emphasizing the frequency of rescues in the area during the hottest parts of the year.
Phillip Stevens, a volunteer rescuer with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association, or SARA, echoed those concerns. "On our busier months, we can see four or five rescues a week," he said.
Five of the seven stranded hikers required air evacuation, including the toddler.
Sheriff Nanos said more rescues continued at Sabino Canyon on Monday. "Here we just took seven people off the mountain yesterday, and in the exact same area, we had another individual today," he said.
The child was transported to a local hospital and later released.
"We let the Department of Child Services know because it is a judgment call," Nanos said. "Fortunately, my understanding is the 15-month-old was treated and released from the hospital."
The rescue effort involved 18 SARA volunteers. Nanos noted that even experienced rescuers were affected by the brutal conditions. "Yesterday (Sunday), we pulled a volunteer off the mountain as well, because they were in a bad way," he said.
Despite the high volume of rescues, Nanos said he does not support imposing penalties on hikers who need emergency assistance. "That sends a bad message for me, to tell people we’re gonna charge you to come save you," he said.
Stevens, who participated in Sunday’s rescue, urged hikers to better prepare for the desert’s challenging environment. "Don’t hike during the heat of the day," he advised. "Plan to be done by about 10 in the morning, pack more water than you think you need, and plan your hike, and make sure somebody knows what your plan is."
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Eddie Celaya is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born in Tucson and raised in the Phoenix area, Eddie is a life-long Arizonan and graduate of the University of Arizona who loves the desert and mountains and hates the cold. Previously, Eddie worked in print media at the Arizona Daily Star. Share your story ideas with Eddie at edward.celaya@kgun9.com, or by connecting on Facebook or Instagram.
Original Story:
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is releasing information on a hiker rescue in Sabino Canyon Sunday afternoon involving a 15-month-old child.
The Pima County Search and Rescue Unit and Southern Arizona Rescue Association received a call at around 2 p.m. about a hiker suffering heat-related injuries near Seven Falls.
RELATED STORY: Multiple people were rescued from Bear Canyon amid extreme heat
Rescuers found seven hikers in need of assistance. Five of the hikers were airlifted by the Department of Public Safety Air Unit. Three of the rescued hikers were taken to a local hospital.
"Pima County Search and Rescue reminds the public to take extra precautions when recreating outdoors during periods of extreme heat, including carrying sufficient water, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours."
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Reyna Preciado is a reporter for KGUN 9, she joined the KGUN 9 team in July of 2022 after graduating Arizona State University. Share your story ideas with Reyna by emailing reyna.preciado@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, or Twitter.
