Gov. Katie Hobbs declares state of emergency after wildfire burns down Arizona bridge

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after a key bridge that connects a rural Arizona community to California burned down.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the Oxbow Bridge burned and collapsed into the Colorado River at the beginning of August.

The wooden structure served the southern La Paz County community of Cibola. Before it burned, it connected Levee Road to the west side of the river.

According to BLM, the wildfire — which officials have dubbed the “Oxbrow 2 Fire” — rendered it impassible.

Why did Katie Hobbs declare state of emergency over Oxbow Bridge collapse?

Submerged hazards remain in the Colorado River, and there is concern that debris from the bridge could float downstream, causing further damage, according to her declaration.

“The state is working with local, federal and Tribal partners to support response to the disaster, prioritizing protecting the environment and downstream infrastructure by removing debris from the Colorado River,” Hobbs said in a social media post.

The bridge was a critical crossing point for emergency services, which have been severely affected by the bridge closure, the declaration of emergency said.

Her declaration also calls for $200,000 to be directed from the general fund to the director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management.

“The safety of Arizonans is my top priority, and we’ll continue to support La Paz County,” Hobbs said.

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