PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The helicopter that’s been a lifeline for hikers stuck on Phoenix-area mountains will be out of operation for nearly the next two months as temperatures remain extremely high.
Phoenix’s Firebird 10 hoist helicopter is set to undergo maintenance from an out-of-state vendor, the Phoenix Fire Department said on Friday.
“Just like any vehicle, automobile, plane, once they reach so many hours, they have to undergo maintenance to keep them up to par and up to speed to what they need to,” said Phoenix Fire Captain D.J. Lee.
The helicopter is piloted by Phoenix Police, and Phoenix Fire operates the hoist system during a rescue. Lee said the planned maintenance work is expected to last through the summer.
Arizona’s Family news chopper witnessed crews tending to the man before he was hoisted into a helicopter.(Arizona’s Family)
“It sounds like right now we’re getting it in October-ish timeframe, it’s going to be back in service,” Lee said. “So from August to October, we will not have that hoist capabilities for this helicopter on our mountain rescues.”
Lee emphasized that mountain rescue responses will not be changed due to not having the hoist ability.
“All of our rescue technicians are trained in multiple avenues and multiple ways of rescuing people off these mountains,” Captain Lee said. “The helicopter is just one of our tools in our toolbox.”
He said Phoenix Police have other helicopters that could be used to effect a mountain rescue, like shuttling crews closer on a mountain or flying supplies to a lost hiker.
Lee added that crews are already trained to make rescues without the hoist ability because Firebird 10 cannot fly when temperatures are over 115 degrees.
“Whenever we go on these mountain rescues, depending on where the patient is at, the status, their location, things like that, we have different plans in place to rescue these personnel or these hikers,” Lee said. “Whatever is the fastest, most effective way to get them off, that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Lee cautioned against hiking in these hot summer temperatures.
“When it’s over 100 degrees, stay off the mountains, find a different way to get your exercise in,” he said.
Firebird 10 was recently used to rescue Academy Award-winning animator Glen Keane from Mummy Mountain in Paradise Valley this week.
Keane said he grew up in Arizona but now lives in Paris, France. He started his hike early Wednesday morning with family members before later becoming ill.
“I was being lifted up [in the helicopter], and I was looking at all the areas that I used to climb around as a kid. And I thought, Lord, thank you. This was just a real blessing to have that crew,” Keane told Arizona’s Family just after the rescue. “And they were really risking their own lives on the edge of that narrow little ledge. I mean, it was very much just like a razor’s edge up there.”
Phoenix Police issued a statement, assuring hikers that rescues will not be affected:
At this time, Phoenix Police Air Support’s primary rescue helicopter is undergoing major repairs and is expected to be out of service for an extended period. The expected return is in October 2026. Rescues will continue and multiple plans are already in place to ensure we can meet any mountain rescue or hoist-capable need during this period. Phoenix Fire Department remains fully committed to responding to all rescue incidents.
We also have established external support through our partners at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). Both agencies have aircraft with hoist capability, and they are available to assist when a rescue requires vertical extraction or specialized insertion.
In addition, Phoenix Police helicopters can still be used to rapidly insert medical personnel or provide aerial support when terrain or conditions make it necessary. Fire personnel will continue to provide dedicated emergency medical care and rescue services on all mountain incidents, assisted by these external aviation resources when required.
In short, even with one aircraft temporarily down, the system remains fully capable. We have multiple layers of support, solid coordination with partner agencies, and clear plans in place to ensure every rescue need in the city is met safely and effectively.
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