Kane County sheriff says search and rescue calls nearly doubled this year
Kane and Iron county officials say rescues in remote areas have become expensive as visitation grows.
Based on reporting by KUTV 2News (CBS). Read the original story →
The Kane County Sheriff's Office has had nearly twice as many search and rescue calls this year, KUTV reported. The office attributed the increase to rising visitation and a wider variety of activities in remote areas. [1]
Kane County Sheriff Tracy Glover said the work has shifted from mostly ATV coverage to canyoneering, high-angle and swift-water rescues. Kane County gets about 5 million visitors each year, many to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Lake Powell and the Wave. Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter said his county is seeing similar trends. [1]
Both counties said rescues are becoming expensive to maintain. Helicopters used in remote rescues cost between $1,800 and $2,000 an hour, and Glover said funding is the limiting factor. Kane County said it is working on a program that would use transient room tax mitigation funding to help pay for search and rescue and emergency medical services in rural communities. [1]
Officials asked hikers to check forecasts, wear appropriate clothing and stick to activities within their abilities. Both sheriff's offices said they rely on volunteers and have their own 501(c)(3) organizations to help offset county costs. [1]
Sources
This story was written by AI from the report by KUTV 2News (CBS), which has the full story. How we write stories.