Malibu Search and Rescue Team (Malibu SAR) - LASD

07/31/2026

Attention hikers who hike with their little buddies! Pets can die very quickly while hiking in the heat, so please take this advice from K9 “Viper” of :

Keep us trim and fit. If your dog is older or out of shape, leave the dog home.

Bring tons of extra water. Most of the people we encounter have insufficient fluids for themselves, let alone their dogs.
Hike with us only in the early morning or evening hours if temps are cooler.

We dehydrate very fast and can succumb to heat stroke within minutes. Since we can’t talk, you won’t know until it’s too late. We don’t have to be hiking long before things go bad.
Take frequent breaks in the shade to rest and hydrate us.

Watch us for signs of heat stroke: excessive panting, curled tongue at the end, drooling, a dazed look, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, bright red eyes/gums, refusal to walk further, collapse, or shaking.

Check our paw pads during the hike. We tend to get burned pads, thorns, pebbles and other painful obstructions.

Don’t hike with us mid-day.

Don’t hike in areas with foxtails, goatheads or stickers.

Don’t take out short snouted dogs in the heat.

Don’t ever leave us in a car. It becomes an oven.

Call 911 immediately when you see that we aren’t feeling well. If you are close to a trailhead, carry the dog out. Actively cool them with wet towels and fanning and get them water to drink and into an air conditioned vehicle.

Delays result in death so quickly. We know you love us but it’s best to leave us home when you hike in temps over 75 degrees or on high humidity days. . Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLost Hills Sheriff's StationLASD Reserve Forces DetailLos Angeles County Fire DepartmentMountain Rescue AssociationLASD Recruitment UnitLos Angeles County Fire Department - Division 7Malibu Volunteers on PatrolCity of Malibu - GovernmentThe Malibu Times@

07/31/2026

We greatly appreciate the support of our local media in getting the word out about our mission. Thank you to The Malibu Times. Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLASD Reserve Forces DetailLost Hills Sheriff's StationMountain Rescue AssociationLASD Recruitment UnitMalibu Volunteers on PatrolCity of Malibu - Government

Malibu Search and Rescue about to celebrate 50 years of service

07/13/2026

Sunday night, Malibu SAR responded to a call for a search for two missing hikers in Topanga Creek. Shortly after this call came out, we received a call for a vehicle over the side on Stunt Road and Mulholland. As rescuers were responding to the two calls, the fire dept was able to reach the patient of the car over, so our responders continued to the hiker search. Our first couple rescuers arrived on scene with LHS deputies and contacted one of the hikers who was able to make his way up to Topanga Canyon. His female counterpart was unable to scale the cliff side. After the initial interview and details discovered, the call was escalated to a cliff rescue. Fire resources were requested. Two Malibu SAR operators were able to make their way down to the hiker, harness her up and then raise her to the topside using our rescue truck winch system. She was evaluated by medics and released. Los Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLASD Reserve Forces DetailLost Hills Sheriff's StationLos Angeles County Fire DepartmentMountain Rescue AssociationLos Angeles County Fire Department - Division 7LASD Recruitment UnitCity of Malibu - GovernmentMalibu Volunteers on Patrol

07/03/2026

Thursday night at 9:30 pm, Malibu SAR was dispatched to a call for three stranded hikers in Malibu Creek State Park on one of the Buttes. Rescuers made quick work using a four person bash team and drone overwatch. All three hikers were successfully brought down and were uninjured. LASD Reserve Forces DetailLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lost Hills Sheriff's Station

06/30/2026

At 5:15 pm Monday, Malibu SAR was dispatched to a missing hiker in the hills above Malibu. Resources included drone and helicopter searches without success. As darkness fell, one of our field teams was able to locate the missing hiker down a steep cliff in a ravine. Fortunately, he was ambulatory. Because of the location, an assist request was made to lacofireairops and lacountyfd. The fire copter was able to extract the hiker and fly him to safety. Field teams subsequently hiked out. Great teamwork by these agencies once again. Los Angeles County Fire - Air OperationsLASD Reserve Forces DetailLASD Aero BureauLASD Training BureauLASD Recruitment UnitLos Angeles County Fire DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLost Hills Sheriff's StationMalibu Volunteers on PatrolCity of Malibu - Government

06/28/2026

Saturday at 3:30 pm, Malibu SAR, Los Angeles County Fire, McCormick Ambulance and MRCA responded to Devils Canyon Mtwy and Ybarra Canyon Mtwy in Chatsworth for a 38 year old male who was thrown from a horse and trampled. Malibu SAR personnel reached the patient after a 30 minute hike in. While assessing the patient, it was evident that he needed an immediate air evac. County Fire Copter 11 responded while the patient was being packaged for a hoist. Great teamwork among agencies resulted in the successful hoist of the patient for immediate care at a local trauma center. . LASD Reserve Forces DetailLASD Aero BureauLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLos Angeles County Fire Department - Division 7Los Angeles County Fire DepartmentLos Angeles County Fire - Air OperationsMountain Rescue Association

06/21/2026

Another successful deployment of our search and rescue drone system facilitated the location of a missing father/son mountain biking duo in the mountains of Calabasas. Our drone pilot was able to use the drone’s spotlight to guide the missing bicyclists to field searchers. LASD Reserve Forces DetailLASD Training BureauLASD Recruitment UnitLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLost Hills Sheriff's Station@

06/15/2026

A weekend of hiker rescues as the area heats up for the summer. In separate incidents, a 22 year old female suffered the effects of heat illness in Malibu Creek State Park, while a 62 year old female experienced an ankle injury at the “Calabasas stairs”. Both women were treated and transported by a multi agency group of first responders from Malibu SAR, LACoFire, Ca State Parks and McCormick Ambulance. LASD Reserve Forces DetailLos Angeles County Fire Department - Division 7LASD Training BureauLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department

05/29/2026

At approximately 7:30 am today, Malibu SAR, , and responded to a vehicle 300 feet over the side of Mulholland Highway in Malibu. The male driver was outside the vehicle yelling for help, while the female passenger was pinned inside the Tesla. Both survived with moderate injuries and were airlifted to a trauma center. savinglives searchandrescue firstresponders. Los Angeles County Fire DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLost Hills Sheriff's StationMountain Rescue AssociationMalibu Volunteers on PatrolMalibu Search and Rescue Team (Malibu SAR) - LASD CHP - West Valley LASD Recruitment UnitLASD Reserve Forces DetailLASD Community Partnerships BureauLos Angeles County Fire Department - Division 7

05/17/2026

A female adult hiker suffered a severe ankle injury while hiking at Escondido Falls in Malibu earlier today. Great teamwork by , LACoFire and in rescuing the woman. Los Angeles County Fire DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's DepartmentLost Hills Sheriff's StationMountain Rescue Association@