PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers are calling on Sen. Mark Kelly to intervene in Gila County's “prolonged public safety crisis.”

Arizona Rep. David Cook sent a letter to Kelly last week asking for support for Fossil Creek, which is popular with hikers and campers. Near the creek, he has 24 miles of dirt road near Route 260 near Camp Verde. This idyllic location features mountains, valleys, and tree canopies.

However, Cook said visitors often need to be rescued, which takes a lot of time, effort and danger for both those being rescued and those doing the rescue.

“Between 2015 and 2022, more than 800 people required rescue or treatment, including seven tragic deaths,” Cook's letter said. “Recent data for 2023 shows 23 additional missions were conducted in Gila County and 42 individuals were extracted.”

Cook said decades of closures of hydropower plants and “associated roads” meant rescue efforts were taking many hours longer than before. Before the closure, the rescue took 90 minutes. Currently, it takes five to seven hours and more than a dozen rescuers to rescue victims.

Cook said the delay “significantly reduces” survival rates.

What David Cook wants Mark Kelly to do for Fossil Creek

Cook already has a solution in mind. It's about repairing eroded roads. Doing so will allow search and rescue personnel to access Fossil Creek more quickly.

“The Yavapai Apache Nation supports this proposal,” Cook said. “Despite initial approval from former chairman John Huey in 2021, a backbone fire in July 2022 halted progress on the project.”

The devastating Backbone Fire occurred near Payson in June 2021. According to Camp Verde's website, 41,924 acres were burned. The fire caused the temporary closure of the Coconino and Tonto National Forests due to downed power lines, damaged roads, and flooding.

Huey subsequently resigned and Tanya Lewis assumed the role of president of the Yavapai Apache Nation. Cook said she rejected attempts to repair the eroded road.

“I urge you to insist on urgent improvements to these roads to allow rapid access for rescue agencies, thereby resolving this persistent public safety crisis,” the letter to Kelly said. I would like you to do that,” it read.

Cook added that Gila County officials are ready to begin road work. It added that this solution would address safety concerns for rescue workers and the need for the Yavapai Apache Tribe to access the Upper Springs area for prayers and ceremonies.

Mr Cooke said: “I urge you to urgently improve these roads so that rescue services can access them quickly.” “We believe your involvement will make a huge difference in protecting the lives of Gila County residents and visitors.”