Douglas County Search and Rescue

08/30/2026

Our e-motos have arrived and we've begun training with them. This will allow us faster access to both searches and rescues on trails throughout the county. We are grateful for the contributions and grants that helped make this possible. We train hard to be there when you need us most. Stay safe out there.

08/30/2026

Excellent training today at Dawson's Butte. Focus on analyzing subject location, medical assessment, equipment delivery and subject extraction. Thank you to Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources for stopping by as well. Stay safe out there.

08/29/2026

ICAR – International Mountain Rescue Day
August 28, 1948 – A milestone in mountain rescue history 📅
On this weekend in 1948, mountain rescue pioneers from different countries gathered at Wilder Kaiser mountain range at the invitation of the Austrian Alpine Club. The people present exchanged knowledge, shared experiences, and laid the foundation for what would soon become ICAR – the International Commission for Alpine Rescue – officially founded in 1955.
Today ICAR has grown to a network of over 140 member organizations in 41 countries around the world. This impressive global network reflects the strong spirit of networking, cooperation and shared commitment to saving lives in the mountains.
🥾 Today, we honour the spirit of collaboration and the tireless dedication of all the women and men who often risk their lives to keep others safe in the mountains. Thank you for your courage, commitment, and community. 🏔️❤️
*Image: stretcher carry in Austria; picture courtesy of the Austrian Alpine Club

ICAR – International Mountain Rescue Day

August 28, 1948 – A milestone in mountain rescue history 📅

On this weekend in 1948, mountain rescue pioneers from different countries gathered at Wilder Kaiser mountain range at the invitation of the Austrian Alpine Club. The people present exchanged knowledge, shared experiences, and laid the foundation for what would soon become ICAR – the International Commission for Alpine Rescue – officially founded in 1955.

Today ICAR has grown to a network of over 140 member organizations in 41 countries around the world. This impressive global network reflects the strong spirit of networking, cooperation and shared commitment to saving lives in the mountains.

🥾 Today, we honour the spirit of collaboration and the tireless dedication of all the women and men who often risk their lives to keep others safe in the mountains. Thank you for your courage, commitment, and community. 🏔️❤️

*Image: stretcher carry in Austria; picture courtesy of the Austrian Alpine Club

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

For awareness.

"Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced on Saturday night that the entire trail system at Castlewood Canyon State Park near Franktown will be closed until further notice. They also said the west side of the park will be shut down because parts of South Castlewood Canyon Road were washed out."

"The east side entrance of the state park will remain open on Sunday, and CPW said in a news release that some trails on the east side of the park might reopen on Monday."

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flooding-castlewood-canyon-state-park-trails-roads/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT4CvNwZG9mBGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzQwOTk2MjYyMzA4NTYwOQABHmTpx_S2GVnwp58rjA0NJZ_udbRByuYaNxj0Q4-i0xnPuZvYfZjpwXq1ZcW3_aem_CvanqRYPtH5OPgFEn_Inkg

Heavy rainshowers passed through Douglas County on Saturday and caused enough flooding and erosion at a state park to force some major closures.

08/22/2026

Fires continue to be a risk. Being aware of your surroundings, and what to do if conditions change, is important. A great read on things to look for - and potentially do - if you become at risk while out. We want you back. Stay safe out there.

Around 1:35 p.m. on August 8, a woman and her dog were killed in a brush fire spurred on by something called a ‘microburst,’ which suddenly pushed wind speeds to between 85 and 100 miles per hour. Here’s a look at what happened, what a microburst is and how it can occur, and what to […]

08/21/2026

A quick read but a very important one in these contninued high temperatures. "Heat exhaustion versus heat stroke: What to watch for and what to do". Stay safe out there.

08/20/2026

Late last night, our team was activated for an extraction on Devils Head after receiving a report of an ill hiker who was unable to continue descending from the area near the base of the Devils Head Fire Tower.

Ground teams were immediately dispatched and rendezvoused w/ Jackson 105 Fire Protection District & Larkspur Fire Protection District personnel, who were already on scene providing patient care. The subject initially began descending under their own power (under medical supervision), but as conditions progressed, it was determined that a litter extraction would provide a safer option.

The subject was transitioned into our litter transport system and successfully extracted to the trailhead, where they were transferred to a higher level of medical care.

While the Devils Head extraction was still underway, our team was activated for a second call for service involving a missing endangered subject in Highlands Ranch. Resources were diverted from Devils Head, while additional team members responded to ensure both incidents were adequately staffed.

We're very pleased to report that both missions resulted in positive outcomes, w/ all teams out of the field by approximately 3:00am.

We'd like to thank our partners at Jackson 105 Fire Protection District & Larkspur Fire Protection District for their outstanding teamwork & support on Devils Head, as well as the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for their assistance across both calls for service.

And finally, we'd like to recognize our entire all-volunteer team. This was the second day in a row w/ two nearly simultaneous mission activations. There are certainly some tired responders today, but when the calls come, our team continues to step up and dedicate their time in service of others.

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

We were activated today for a missing endangered party in the Larkspur area. Nearly 40 personnel responded, including assistance from Douglas County - Government Park Rangers & the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Ground, ATV, mobile and UAV teams were deployed covering search areas spanning a mixture of residential and surrounding wilderness . After several hours of searching, teams successfully locating the missing party, whom was found unharmed. We'd also like to thank one of our furry local residents for keeping a close eye on the search operation, though, thankfully, they chose to supervise from a distance.