PHOENIX — Fire crews from around the Valley were busy with mountain rescues on Saturday.

At least three separate rescues were reported. Crews have responded to South Mountain, Camelback Mountain and Black Mountain Preserve to help injured or overheated hikers.

Crews with the Phoenix Fire Department were at South Mountain at around 9:30 a.m.

They responded after a hiker reported heat-related issues. The man was not able to make his way back down the trail, so crews used "the big wheel stretcher to get him down safely," the fire department said.

Captain DJ Lee said the big wheel is a lightweight metal basket that can be easily carried by firefighters, compared to their gurneys. It also gets its name because the basket sits on a big ATV-type wheel, making it easier to transport patients o

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