Gov. Hobbs Declares State of Emergency After Wildfire Destroys Oxbow Bridge to Rural Arizona Community

Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency in La Paz County on Tuesday following the collapse of a critical bridge that connected the rural community of Cibola to California after it was destroyed by wildfire.

The Oxbow Bridge, which crossed the Colorado River near the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, burned down and collapsed on August 1 during what officials have named the Oxbow 2 Fire. The structure's destruction has left approximately 400 residents without their primary access route and created navigation hazards in the Colorado River.

"The safety of Arizonans is my top priority, and we'll continue to support La Paz County," Katie Hobbs said in announcing the emergency declaration.

 

The bridge connected Levee Road and the Colorado River's western bank. Emergency services relied on the building to access the rural town and its surrounding areas; therefore, its loss has had a significant impact.

Environmental and Safety Concerns

State officials are prioritizing the removal of bridge debris from the Colorado River, citing concerns that wreckage could float downstream and damage other infrastructure. Submerged portions of the collapsed bridge have made the waterway impassable in that section.

The Bureau of Land Management has advised river users to exercise caution in the affected area and downstream locations until all hazards are appropriately marked and cleared. Navigation remains dangerous due to underwater obstacles from the bridge remnants.

Hobbs' administration is coordinating with local, federal, and tribal partners on the response effort, focusing on environmental protection and preventing further damage to downstream facilities.

State Response

The emergency declaration authorizes $200,000 from the state general fund to be allocated to the Arizona Division of Emergency Management for response operations. Officials have distributed a range of state resources according to the state's Emergency Response and Recovery Plan to address the impacted community's longer-term recovery requirements as well as its urgent safety concerns.

The formal declaration outlined the scope of the emergency, noting that the bridge served as "a critical crossing point of the Colorado River for Emergency Services" and that emergency response capabilities "have been severely affected by the bridge closure."

Community Impact

Obtaining services and revenue on the California side of the river is now extremely difficult for Cibola, which is located in southern La Paz County. The community relied on the bridge to connect to nearby locations because it is situated between Yuma and Lake Havasu City, close to the Colorado River.

The collapse also affected operations at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, where the bridge provided access for conservation work and wildlife management activities.

Emergency responders must now use alternative routes that significantly increase response times to the isolated community. Officials have not provided estimates for when regular emergency services might be restored.

Timeline and Next Steps

The emergency declaration took effect August 1 and remains active as cleanup operations continue. State officials have not announced a timeline for clearing river debris or replacing the destroyed infrastructure.

The governor's office indicated that coordination efforts with federal and tribal partners will continue throughout the response and recovery phases. There are currently no announced long-term plans to reestablish the community.

Hobbs emphasized that although exact plans for bridge replacement or alternate means of transportation are still being developed, the state is committed to helping La Paz County citizens through the prolonged recovery process.