Photos: Swift water rescues during 2021 monsoon season
Photographs of swift water rescues during the 2021 monsoon season in Tucson and Pima County.
Fire agencies train and cross-train with other agencies on techniques for rescuing people flowing washes, whether in or atop vehicles, hanging on to tree limbs or carrying by the dangerous current. Rescues often require dozens of firefighters in teams, navigating through running washes of unknown depth with treacherous footing underneath.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 11: This vehicle was swept away in the flash flood off S Camino Loma Alta and Old Spanish Trail. The driver was rescued by Rincon Valley Fire District crews.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 11 Tucson Fire Department on a swift water rescue near Kino Parkway and 15th St.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 11 Tucson Fire Department on a swift water rescue near Kino Parkway and 15th St.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 11: Rural Metro firefighters working with Tucson firefighters, pulled one driver out of a high fast moving Aqua Caliente wash near Tanque Verde and Bonanza. There were no injuries.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 10: Tucson Fire Department, working with Northwest Fire and Golder Ranch Fire, pulled two victims out of the Flowing Wells Wash near Prince and Romero. Both are unharmed, however the pair floated from Evergreen Cemetery to where they were rescued, more than half a mile.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 10: A woman climbs out of a Nissan pick-up as Northwest Fire District firefighters position themselves for a water rescue in the Cañada del Oro Wash. Firefighters rescued three people from one of two vehicles in the wash, swollen with runoff after an early-morning downpour dumped nearly two-inches upstream.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 10: A team of five Northwest Fire District firefighters walk a women away from a stranded pick-up truck in the Cañada del Oro Wash. Firefighters rescued three people from one of two vehicles in the wash, swollen with runoff after an early-morning downpour dumped nearly two-inches upstream.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
Aug. 10: Northwest Fire District firefighters carry a girl rescued from a pick-up truck out of the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
July 31: Rural Metro firefighters at a fast moving wash near Nogales Hwy and Old Vail. The trapped vehicle was closer to the shore making the rescue less difficult. There were no injuries.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
July 25: Crews responded to Avra Valley Rd & Sandario for a swift water rescue. Driver helped to safety, no injuries. Agencies included Tucson Fire Department, Avra Valley Fire Department, Marana Police and Northwest Fire District.
Swift water rescues, Monsoon 2021
July 14: Golder Ranch firefighters rescue a man and his two daughters from the roof of their vehicle after it was swept from Edwin Road, west of Oracle Road.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Around 8 p.m., Northwest Fire and Tucson Fire crews responded to a call about a car stuck in a wash.
Don't let this year's monsoon cast a dark cloud over your summer camping trips in and around Tucson!
A truck swept away by floodwaters last year has been removed from the CDO wash.