Arizona firefighters responded to 1,100 snake-related calls as summer heat drove snakes to homes

Fountain Hills firefighters in Arizona handled six snake calls before noon during a single summer shift as heat pushed reptiles closer to homes.

Here's what to know

According to FOX 10, Fountain Hills fire crews made roughly 1,100 snake-related responses in the last year—about three a day — and they're among the most frequent calls after medical emergencies. Summer can bring a much faster pace, with one shift reaching its fourth snake run by 10 a.m. and its sixth before noon.

Per FOX, a snake call came in within about 30 seconds of its crew filming, reporting a smaller snake curled up in an outside corner. 

Resident David Cook said, "Rather not kill the snakes, but I don't want to see him released. You know right across the wash cause they come back."

Another dispatch came before firefighters could return to the station, sending them to a larger snake under a house beside a pool pump which bit a pool service worker.

Removals around town have included king snakes and pit vipers, but most calls are for diamondbacks.

What's being done?

In Fountain Hills, the fire department removes the creatures from residential areas and relocates them.

Fountain Hills Firefighter Rocky Craig demonstrated the process with a snake grabber and bucket, securing the reptile and then moving it away from nearby homes.

Craig described the technique, saying, "I try to catch it by its head so you have more control of where you're striking. They do have a large striking distance put them in the bucket you know make sure we're clear cover the bucket. And that's it."

Craig said, "You know this is part of the job being over here for the community and that's what we do so whatever it takes afternoon I gotta go."

Where can I learn more?

Fountain Hills isn't the only place seeing more snake encounters as heat, habitat pressure, and seasonal shifts push reptiles closer to people. Here are some more stories.

• Across the Mid-South, snake calls surge 50 percent as reptiles slip indoors through small gaps.

• Experts warn venomous snakes will travel toward heavily populated coastlines as habitats shift.

• In India, rising heat is driving more snakebite incidents and deepening public health risks.

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