Dear Wickenburg Community,
In times of crisis, the true character of a community comes to light. During the recent wildfire, I witnessed remarkable unity, resilience, and care from every corner of Wickenburg, and I am deeply grateful.
First responders came from near and far to support our community. Firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics all rose to the challenge with unwavering dedication. Your courage protected lives and property when it mattered most, and your efforts will not be forgotten.
I want to extend special recognition to the team at Wickenburg Community Hospital & Clinics (WCH), a critical access hospital uniquely vital to our area. Throughout the wildfire, the WCH Emergency Department and QWickCare Urgent Care remained open to serve those in need. With Highway 60 at risk of closure, WCH’s role became even more crucial. If the highway had been closed, patients requiring stabilization would have relied on WCH, as transport to hospitals with higher levels of care would have required a back road route, adding at least thirty minutes—time that could be critical for those in urgent need. Ambulance services faced the real challenge of determining if patients were stable enough for the extended transport, and the hospital prepared to handle a potential surge in emergency care.
As the wildfire brought heavy smoke during an extreme heat warning, WCH anticipated an increase of community members experiencing respiratory distress given the unhealthy air quality. Many non-essential and elective services were rescheduled, allowing staff to focus on urgent needs. In the primary care clinic, providers remained available for walk-in patients, particularly those experiencing respiratory distress. I send a special thank you to those patients who were rescheduled, your understanding and patience is deeply appreciated.
To the volunteers and all residents who supported one another, evacuating animals, opening your homes to displaced fire victims, and generously donating feed and space for animals in need, your compassion and generosity set Wickenburg apart. Each act of kindness—no matter how small—helped our community weather this challenge.
Moving forward, I am proud to stand with all of you as a family-oriented community. Thank you for your strength, care, and steadfast commitment to the well-being of Wickenburg.
With sincere appreciation,
Jackie Lundblad
President & CEO
Wickenburg Community Hospital & Clinics
