El Paso firefighters were locked in a high-stakes canal rescue Thursday night after U.S. Customs and Border Protection called for help in south-central El Paso. Water-rescue units from the El Paso Fire Department moved in near the Fonseca ramp off the César Chávez Border Highway shortly before 8 p.m. and stayed on scene as the effort unfolded.
What officials say
According to KFOX14, the El Paso Fire Department said the operation began at César Chávez Border Highway and Fonseca Drive after Customs and Border Protection requested assistance. EPFD told the station the call came in at 7:52 p.m. Thursday and that crews were working both from the Fonseca ramp and the César Chávez area. Officials released a few additional details in the early going and described the situation as active and developing.
Why the canals are especially dangerous now
Water releases for irrigation and treatment regularly boost flows in the border canal system, creating strong currents and hidden hazards that can overpower both people and vehicles. The El Paso Fire Department notes that its Water Rescue Team is trained in swiftwater operations and rescue diving and can launch full callouts for incidents like this. Local coverage in May warned that surge releases make the canals deceptively powerful and urged residents to keep their distance from canal banks and levee roads, as per Hoodline.
Past rescues and recoveries
The Border Highway corridor has seen a string of serious water emergencies in recent years. In 2022 the El Paso Fire Department recovered a body from the canal near Fonseca after Border Patrol reported a person in the water, per KVIA. In 2023, crews pulled another person from a nearby stretch of canal and turned the scene over to U.S. Border Patrol, according to KVIA. Those earlier calls highlight the dangers first responders face when fast currents and debris complicate canal operations.
How to help and stay safe
Fire officials and safety advocates urge residents to stay out of the canals entirely and to call 911 immediately if they see someone in trouble, providing as precise a location as possible so trained teams can respond quickly. The El Paso Fire Department stresses that improvised rescues can put bystanders in danger and that Water Rescue Team members have the specialized gear and training needed for swiftwater incidents.
This remains a developing incident, and officials have not released further information about the patient’s condition. Updates will follow when agencies provide more details.
