Pinal Co. Sheriffs report rise in Superstition area rescues

PHOENIX — The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has racked up 15 search-and-rescues in the Superstition Wilderness in the past two weeks and it’s taxing the budget.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said that total usually covers three months and he’s concerned.

“The mountains are less forgiving than just about anywhere else. Bring more water than you expect you’ll need in case you get lost,” he said.

Being unpreppared to deal with the rugged Superstitions is the top reason the rescue numbers have climbed, Babeu said.

“People having heart attacks, people from other states [who] don’t know what they’re getting into.”

Babeu said the rescues are taking a bite out of his budget at a time when money is already tight.