On Tuesday, Governor Katie Hobbs declared a State of Emergency in La Paz County in response to the destruction of the Oxbow Bridge, which collapsed into the Colorado River after it was burned by a wildfire.
A fast-moving wildfire completely engulfed and destroyed the historic Oxbow Bridge, a critical Colorado River crossing between western Arizona and California, cutting off a heavily used rural route and forcing residents to take long detours.
The blaze, dubbed the “Oxbow 2 Fire,” ignited near the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Within just two hours, intense flames tore through the all-wooden bridge, causing the center section to collapse directly into the Colorado River. The bridge’s metal railings melted and gave way under the heat, leaving behind a charred and twisted skeleton of what once served as a vital shortcut for residents, farmers, and emergency responders.
The Governor’s declaration makes state resources and funding available to support response to the disaster, prioritizing protecting the environment and downstream infrastructure by removing debris from the Colorado River.
“The collapse of the Oxbow Bridge is a devastating blow to the La Paz County community,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Protecting the health and safety of Arizonans is my top priority, and the State of Arizona stands ready to support those impacted by this horrible event.”
In her declaration, Governor Hobbs directed the Governor’s Emergency Fund be made available to the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to support response and recovery efforts. She also ordered that the State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan be used to direct assets and authorized the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to coordinate resources.
The State Emergency Operation Center has been activated to a Level 2 to coordinate efforts with emergency response partners and identify additional needs. The Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is coordinating with county, state, federal, and Tribal agencies to identify gaps in services for community needs, critical business, and government operations.
Not diminishing the impact of losing this bridge but if you explore Google Maps (street view), I find it quite suspicious that a ‘wild fire’ caught this bridge on fire! It surly does not appear to be enough brush around it for that to be the cause. No, I’m not trying to start a conspiracy…
That’s what I was thinking as well.
“Protecting the health and safety of Arizonans is my top priority…”
Liar liar pantsuit on fire….
Right? She’d financially ruin hundreds or thousands of Arizonans if someone told her it would save a handful of dwarf American toads (maybe familial compassion?).
while I’m sure the Army could have a bridge up in days! if not the same day.. my question is – can we keep California on the other side of the river? Keep it closed – put in a ferry if needed for convenience – can the other bridges be closed as well – the proverbial building of the ‘western wall’ to match the southern wall 🙂
Too late, they are already here……along with the idiot RINO’s that worship Little Johnnie and have done everything they can do to turn AZ blue and they have almost succeed. IMHO, AZ will be totally blue in 28.
Epic response!
I was thinking the same thing. 😉