Phoenix firefighters spent Monday afternoon scrambling up Camelback Mountain to reach two separate hikers who developed heat-related medical emergencies, as temperatures climbed and officials urged everyone else to steer clear of the popular peak.
Technical rescue teams were working on Camelback's steep slopes while a public information officer headed to the scene to share updates as they come in, according to the department. Officials cautioned hikers to avoid the area while crews worked.
Rescue crews are currently rescuing two separate individuals on camelback mountain who are experiencing heat related emergencies. pic.twitter.com/s9RXqdbBGf
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) July 13, 2026
What Phoenix Fire Is Saying
As reported by the Phoenix Fire Department on X, technical rescue crews were responding to two separate heat-related incidents on Camelback, and a public information officer was assigned to update the public from the mountain. The initial post did not list the hikers' ages, their conditions, or whether anyone would be taken to a hospital. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
Trail Closures And City Heat Response
The City of Phoenix closes Camelback's Echo and Cholla trails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, and the city's 2026 heat-response plan stations volunteers and cooling resources at busy trailheads to help hikers, according to the City of Phoenix. Those measures are part of a broader push this summer to limit avoidable rescues on exposed desert trails.
Why Rescues Keep Rising
Local reporting and city officials say mountain rescues have climbed this year, with Phoenix logging more hiker rescues so far in 2026 than at the same point in 2025, per AZFamily. Fire commanders and local outlets note that hikers often underestimate desert heat or run out of water; one recent case left a man in critical condition after he was airlifted off Camelback, as reported by ABC15. That pattern helps explain why technical rescue crews found themselves back on Camelback Monday afternoon.
Hikers are reminded to avoid trails during extreme heat, carry plenty of water, and check official channels for status updates; the Phoenix Fire Department and City of Phoenix post current information on X and on the city's website. Details on the hikers' conditions will be added when officials release them.
