PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Phoenix has been closing some of its most popular trails during extreme heat for four years, but so far, no hikers rescued from the restricted trails have been cited. <\/p>\n
City officials say first responders are focused on the well-being of the person being rescued. They believe a citation would deter people in need of rescue from calling for help. <\/p>\n
Anyone in distress, even on a closed trail, should immediately call 911.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s temperatures are forecast to be the hottest yet of 2025<\/a>, with highs in the Valley to reach 117. Several hikers started their trek up Echo Canyon trail early in the morning hours before the closure began. <\/p>\n However, some hikers going up just before the closure time say it\u2019s all about community, and those familiar with the trails help each other out and check on passing hikers. <\/p>\n The City of Phoenix sent Arizona\u2019s Family the following response about trail rescues and the Trail Heat Safety Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n During any emergency, the City of Phoenix\u2019s top priority is public safety \u2013 for our residents, visitors and first responders. While the City retains the authority to cite individuals for entering a closed park or trail, per\u00a0Phoenix City Code. [phoenix.municipal.codes]<\/a>\u00a0the\u00a0objective is to get individuals safely off the mountain and connected to medical care as quickly as possible.\u00a0The City leads with education and has not yet issued\u00a0citations for trail restriction violations since implementing hiking trail closures in 2021. No one should ever be deterred from calling for help out of concern for receiving a citation. If someone is in distress, please call 911 immediately \u2013 safety is what matters most.\u00a0<\/p>\n When trails are closed there are prominent signs alerting the pubic to the closure, as well as physical barriers such as fences or gates at parking lot or trail entrances. The Parks Department has rangers who are assigned to monitor the most popular trailheads on extreme heat warning days.<\/p>\n As we move through the hottest time of the year in Phoenix, we ask the public to partner with us: avoid restricted trails, hike before 8 a.m. or after 5\u00a0p.m., and help keep yourself and others safe by following\u00a0Take a Hike. Do it Right.<\/a>\u00a0hiking safety guidelines.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Not only is hiking in extreme heat dangerous for your own body, it also creates a hazard for firefighters. Scottsdale Fire Captain Dave Folio joined Good Morning Arizona on Thursday to speak about the dangerous situations that these rescues put firefighters in. Watch his interview below.<\/p>\n Scottsdale Fire Capt. Dave Folio joined Good Morning Arizona to speak about the dangers of hiking in Arizona’s extreme summer heat.<\/p>\n No Scottsdale trails are closed during days with extreme heat. <\/p>\n The following Phoenix trails are closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days with Extreme Heat Warnings: <\/p>\n Signs are posted at each of the above locations detailing the closures. <\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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