Stop the Heat Deaths in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

The Sonoran Desert encompasses the 1,300 square mile Cabeza Prieta NWR. Designated a wilderness area, it is used by hunters and campers who appreciate the wild animals and raw beauty of the terrain during the moderate fall and winter. Water holes are very scarce and there is no cell coverage.

Unfortunately, the spring and summer months have soaring temperatures which during the Caligula months (June, July, August) can exceed 120 degrees. The infamous “Devil’s Highway” runs through south Cabeza Prieta.

Every year, people from all walks of life—migrants seeking safety, hikers exploring nature, big game hunters and law enforcement officers performing their duties—face life-threatening situations in the Cabeza Prieta Desert. Many of these individuals are unable to call for help due to the lack of cell coverage in critical areas like the Growler Valley.

Since the year 2000, more than 303 individuals in Cabeza Prieta have tragically lost their lives due to heat exposure and the inability to call for help in time. The ongoing yearly toll is 29 deaths.

When including deaths from the adjoining Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as well as the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range, the total for the three regions is 693 deaths since the year 2000 and an ongoing 43 deaths per year.

Based on Pima County Medical Examiner Data and talking with Search and Rescue Groups it is clear that > 90% of the people who die in Cabeza Prieta have cell phones and many died while trying repeatedly to call 911 for help. There are no cell towers in Cabeza Prieta. We have had cell tower analysis performed by professionals that shows a very simple solution. One Cell Tower in the North Growler Valley and one Cell Tower in the South Growler Valley will prevent > 90% of the deaths per year in the Growler Valley. These same towers will also save large numbers of lives in the adjoining Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as well as the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range which is part of Luke Air Force base.

Our estimated ROI for the two towers is more than 30 lives saved per year.