Southwest
Arizona recreation area closed after hiker death and nearly 3 dozen rescues in just 2 days
Arizona Hot Springs and Goldstrike Trails announced they have closed multiple trails in Arizona’s Lake Mead National Recreation Area following the death of one hiker and the rescue of 33 others over the course of two days.
The social media post says the closure occurred due to dangerously high temperatures and multiple heat-related search and rescue incidents.
They say the canyons are expected to exceed 100°F, and many hikers are not “adequately prepared for these extreme conditions.”
2 MEN ACCUSED OF DAMAGING ANCIENT ROCK FORMATIONS AT LAKE MEAD FACE TRIAL | FOX NEWS VIDEO
Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters announced they have closed multiple trails in Arizona’s Lake Mead National Recreation Area following the death of one hiker and the rescue of 33 others over the course of two days. (Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Andrew Cattoir)
“With the season’s heat just beginning, most people are not yet acclimated, increasing the likelihood of heat illness,” they said. “Yesterday, a hiker died on the Arizona Hot Springs Trail in what is suspected to be a heat-related incident. Five other members of the same group were also experiencing heat distress and required helicopter evacuation.”
At the time of the post, rangers were actively responding to a large-scale rescue involving 28 hikers, three adults and 25 children with special needs.
Allegedly, the group attempted to reach Arizona Hot Springs without adequate preparation.
They say the canyons are expected to exceed 100°F, and many hikers are not “adequately prepared for these extreme conditions.” (Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Instagram)
FEDS PROPOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HISTORIC RECREATION AREA IN NEVADA AND ARIZONA
They also emphasized that with the conditions of the park there is a significant strain from these emergencies on park resources.
Currently, the park is to remain closed for the next several days and, depending on temperatures on Sunday and Monday, they may reopen temporarily.
“The trails may reopen temporarily, but closures will resume as conditions become hazardous again,” according to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
A press release on the site states that these trails “will close for the summer once day-to-day temperatures stay dangerously high. These trails have a history of heat-related visitor rescues and, tragically, some fatalities as well. “
Rugged eroded volcanic basalt near Lake Mead in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada. (Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A letter sent to parents of the children involved by school administrator Catherine Normoyle argued the details of the post, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
In the letter, the administrator says the hiking group consisted of 10 adults and 18 students, Normoyle said. Of which only three were identified as “special needs.”
Normoyle also wrote that the school received citations from park officials for “creating a hazardous condition” and for leading a group of over 20 people without a permit.
The park website states that for the latest closure updates and information on safer alternatives, visit www.nps.gov/lake.
Read the full article from Here
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
-
A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
-
California2 minutes agoNewsom urges a national ‘billionaires’ tax’ while fighting one in California
-
Colorado9 minutes agoAvalanche Re-Signs Kulak | Colorado Avalanche
-
Connecticut12 minutes ago40 Years, Zero Accountability: The Union Deal That’s Been Emptying Connecticut’s Wallet
-
Delaware17 minutes agoMajor bills loom as Delaware lawmakers face final day of session
-
Florida24 minutes agoFlorida is bungling its food assistance money; it could hurt 3 million
-
Georgia27 minutes agoNew Georgia laws going into effect July 1, 2026 | What to know
-
Hawaii32 minutes agoHilo Pride parade and festival on Saturday – Hawaii Tribune-Herald
-
Illinois42 minutes agoIllinois Democrats face backlash after blaming Trump in Chicago cross-burning case | Fox News Video
