Monterey County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue

10/20/2026

A little extra light makes a big difference!

Thanks to NiteRider Bike Lights for donating lights to our team. These lights attach to our rescue litter, illuminating the area underneath and helping our litter attendants navigate safely in low-light conditions.

We’re grateful for vendors like NiteRider who support our volunteer search and rescue team and help us better serve our community. Thank you for being part of our mission!

Photo credit: David Arsenio Sierra Rad

10/19/2026

Last weekend, our SAR volunteers spent two hot days sharpening their technical rope skills! We refreshed foundational skills, built lowering and raising systems, and wrapped up with building and operating a highline.

Huge thanks to our volunteers for their dedication to staying mission-ready and serving our community!

❤️ Help Support Your Local SAR Team

Our volunteers give their time and skills to help others, but our team receives no annual operating budget from the Sheriff’s Office or the County. Community donations help fund training, maintain equipment, and keep our team ready to respond.

Every contribution makes a difference!

🙏 Support our volunteers: https://mcosar.com/donate/

09/29/2026

09/14/2026

Training for our 2027 MRA Snow & Ice Recertification is already underway! ❄️

With no snow yet, we took our first training day to the beach. Sand turned out to be a surprisingly effective substitute for many of the skills we need to practice.

08/31/2026

Search & Rescue Response – Toro Area

Last night, Monterey County Search & Rescue assisted with a search for a reported lost hiker on the backside of Toro, closer to the River Road community.

Our team deployed into the area while Monterey County Fire/USAR crews searched from a different access point. After several hours of searching, the hiker was located around midnight and was safely escorted out of the area.

Another late-night search, another safe outcome. Big thanks to everyone who headed out into the dark to help bring this one to a safe conclusion.

08/11/2026

Monterey County Search & Rescue – Timber Fire Response

Monterey County Search & Rescue volunteers have been assisting with evacuation operations in the Big Sur area in response to the Timber Fire.

Our volunteers are working alongside partner agencies to support the safety and evacuation of residents and visitors in affected areas.

We are grateful to our dedicated volunteers and all of the agencies working together to protect our community.

Please continue to monitor official emergency notifications and follow all evacuation orders and instructions.

07/16/2026

Last weekend, Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers conducted high-angle and low-angle rope rescue training, sharpening the technical skills needed to safely reach and rescue people in challenging terrain.

During the high-angle training, we also had the opportunity to participate in a photo shoot with Kali Protectives, who generously donated helmets to our team. We sincerely appreciate their support of volunteer Search and Rescue and their commitment to helping keep our members safe.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who continue to dedicate their time to training, so we’re ready when our community needs us. Monterey County Sheriff MontereyCo. Sheriff’s Advisory

07/06/2026

Over the past two weeks, Monterey County Search and Rescue volunteers responded to two backcountry incidents requiring teamwork, technical skills, and coordination with partner agencies.

On June 28, SAR volunteers responded to Big Sur for an injured hiker suffering from a head injury. Five SAR members worked together to safely package and carry the patient out of rugged terrain for medical care.

This week, SAR responded to the Arroyo Seco Gorge after a hiker became stranded overnight after getting off route. With assistance from MCSO drone operators, SAR ground teams located the hiker, provided care, and assisted with a helicopter extraction by CHP Coastal Air Operations Division.

These missions highlight the importance of training, teamwork, and strong partnerships across agencies. We are grateful to all responders who helped bring these incidents to a safe conclusion.

MontereyCo. Sheriff’s Advisory Monterey County Sheriff

06/09/2026

Waterfalls. Rope systems. Steep terrain. Teamwork.

Last weekend, Monterey County Search & Rescue volunteers trained in Kirk Creek to develop and maintain the specialized canyoneering skills needed for rescues in some of the county’s most challenging environments.

When emergencies happen beyond the trail, our volunteers need to be ready to go where others can’t.

This is why we train.

05/31/2026

Busy week for Monterey County Search and Rescue!

📍 May 28 – Big Sur
MCSO Search and Rescue responded to a report of a lost hiker who became disoriented and went off the Dutra Trail during inclement weather. SAR ground teams located the hiker and safely extracted them with the assistance of a UTV.

📍 May 30 – Soberanes Loop Trail
MCSO Search and Rescue responded after a hiker fell off-trail and sustained a serious leg injury. Working alongside California State Parks, Carmel Valley CERT, Cal Fire, and Mid Coast Fire Brigade, rescuers located the patient, provided medical care, and packaged them for transport. The patient was then moved to a suitable zone where CHP H-70 conducted a helicopter extraction to a waiting ground ambulance.

We are grateful for the teamwork and coordination of all responding agencies that helped bring these incidents to a successful conclusion.

Monterey County Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization that provides emergency search and rescue services throughout Monterey County at no cost to those in need. If you’d like to support our mission, please consider making a donation at mcosar.com/donate.