Sedona Fire Department. Copper Canyon Fire Department. Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
Verde Search and Rescue. We see and hear them in the news all too many times during summers
in Sedona, responding to heat-stress-related calls. These calls involve both visitors AND
Arizonans and sometimes turn out to be fatal.
Because many summer heat-related calls involve hikers, it is not surprising that efforts to
minimize such calls began with the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in an
initiative called PSAR – Preventative Search and Rescue. These programs take a variety of
forms, but all focus on providing needed information to hikers to ensure they have a safe and
enjoyable experience. PSAR program elements include signage, face-to-face engagement, online
materials and hands-on aid (including water, ice and electrolytes). One of the earliest PSAR
programs was developed for climbers in Mount Denali National Park, and two of the largest
efforts in terms of government staff and volunteer time are at Grand Canyon and Yosemite
national parks.
Closer to home, the Red Rock Ranger District and Friends of the Forest Sedona initiated such a
program five years ago after local first responders were overwhelmed with multiple heat-related
calls to Bell Trail on Beaver Creek, which goes to a swimming hole called “The Crack.” The
focus, as with all PSAR efforts, is to provide needed information so hikers can have a safe and
enjoyable outdoor experience. Three years ago, the program was expanded to include Dry Creek
Vista parking – a popular entrance to the Devil’s Bridge Trail.
The Red Rock OHV Conservation Corp has joined Friends of the Forest volunteers at Dry Creek
Vista this year, patrolling from the parking lot to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead on weekend
afternoons. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, on Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays, volunteers provide information about trail conditions and alternative destinations,
weather (including ground temperatures, which can reach 150+ degrees), and safe hiking
practices including early starts, adequate water (CDC recommends a minimum of 8 ounces every
15-20 minutes which means approximately 2 quarts for Devil’s Bridge and 1 gallon for The
Crack per person), sun protection and hiking essentials.
In addition, weather effects on canine companions should not be overlooked. Dogs do not wear
hiking shoes and ground temperatures of 120 degrees start to be painful and 130 degrees or more
will burn pads. Plus, dogs do not sweat (except paw pads) and are wearing the equivalent of a
winter fur coat, so they have an even harder time adapting to the heat than we do. Dog booties
help, but staying home should be considered on hotter days.
This year, through July 14th, PSAR volunteers have provided information to over 5,000 hikers
looking to go to Devil’s Bridge or The Crack. Over 700 of those hikers have taken that
information and altered their plans – opting for an alternate hike, shorter hike, doing it on a
different day or getting more water. Water and/or electrolytes have been provided to over 2,500
hikers, and aid in the form of chairs to rest, shade and cooling (cool water, wet towels) to 159
hikers in distress due to the heat.
Being aware of any heat stress you or your hiking partners might be experiencing is critical this
time of year, as the continuum from being uncomfortable to heat exhaustion to heat stroke can
have fatal outcomes. Heat exhaustion typically starts with a headache and light headedness.
Seek shade, take frequent sips of cool water and apply cool water compresses. Untreated,
exhaustion can progress to heat stroke with a rapid rise in body temperature to 106 degrees or
greater. The hiker can become confused with slurred speech with or without profuse sweating.
Call 911 immediately, seek shade, and offer cool water and cool compresses until help arrives.
Safer summer strolls are possible to enjoy in the Red Rocks. Start early, choose a hike
appropriate to your abilities and the weather, and be prepared with hiking essentials and more
water than you will need. And, if doing Devil’s Bridge or The Crack on a summer weekend, stop
by the Friends of the Forest PSAR tent and say hi. Better yet, start that hike really early and
finish BEFORE the tent is even set up. Safe hiking!
Want to know more about Friends of the Forest and Preventative Search and Rescue? Visit
www.
Serving Sedona, written this week by Dale Evans, Friends of the Forest, appears Wednesday in
the Sedona Red Rock News.