Fronteras

The Border Patrol is warning of the dangers of crossing the Arizona desert as temperatures shoot up this month. Spokesman Brent Cagen says there were 177 deaths in the southern Arizona desert last year and that border crossers are faced with many hazards.

“Besides just the hot desert months that are going to be coming up this summer, they are also encountering this rugged, rough terrain.” Cagen said.

Cagen says the Border Patrol has specially trained units to help people who become stranded, and that educational programs are underway in Central and South America to inform people about the hazards of Arizona in the summer.