Dolores County Search and Rescue, Inc

09/02/2026

You have to LOVE Dolores county! El Diente and Mt. Wilson are just beyond and the folks at Dunton have always been willing to help with rescues in their area. Come stay at Dunton when you you need a luxury get away in historic buildings with some history and lots of backcountry.

09/01/2026

Well deserved DOCSAR - and Thank you Team 8! You’re the best.

08/29/2026

IMPORTANT INFO FOR IPHONE USERS RELYING ON TEXT VIA SATELLITE FOR REQUESTING HELP.

Emergency SOS over Satellite is the fastest way to get help started (with an iPhone) and has saved numerous lives - it has helped our team save lives. BUT…..

It involves a (somewhat) time-consuming relaying of short messages with an emergency center and the Search Coordinator (and back again) to get additional important info to the SAR team. SO…..

If help is critical, send an SOS. THEN, text your Emergency Contact(s) and have them text you the Search Coordinator’s cell number.

Then add that number to your Emergency Contacts and send it a short text (from your satellite-connected iPhone). NOW…

The Search Coordinator can directly contact you for information over the satellite connection. Awesome!

(This also works if you satellite text your Emergency Contact for help and ask them for the Search Coordinator’s number without doing the SOS.)

Cheers! Stay safe, be prepared and call early for help when needed.

Keith Keesling, DOCSAR Captain
CO State SAR Coordinator, CSAR33

(I still recommend a backup such as inReach. Remember, 2 is 1 and 1 is none.)

08/17/2026

Good job guys!

08/09/2026

On Saturday, August 9, 2026, the Dolores County Sheriff’s Office paged out Dolores County SAR for an injured climber on the El Diente traverse. Initial GPS coordinates placed the injured several hundred feet below the traverse, but was quickly traced to be on top near the Organ Pipes.

SAR command was able to reach the RP via cell phone due to them being just shy of 14,000 feet. Initial report was of an arterial bleed in the lower leg, shock setting in and both climbers had taken minor falls.

A call was immediately made to Mesa Verde Helitack for extraction and since they were at base, and the weather was cooperating, they were able to take the mission.

While the helicopter was being prepped, members of Dolores County SAR and the Rico Fire Department loaded up a truck and Ambulance and headed to the Killpacker Trailhead to receive the injured party.

Due to the amazing professionalism of our partners at Durango Interagency and Mesa Verde Helitack, it took less than an hour for them to lift off from time of call, including a wait for a weather squall to pass. The helo was able to quickly locate the injured climbers due to them wearing bright colored clothes/helmets. (Yes, that sentence included words of wisdom that could save your life. 😉)

The crew then rigged the line and extracted them in two hauls to the waiting Rico Ambulance. The ambulance drove them out of the wilderness and down to the Town of Rico where they were transferred to a waiting Southwest Health Ambulance and driven to the hospital in Cortez.

This mission proceeded like clockwork, and I cannot say enough about the professionalism and quality of Rico Fire, Mesa Verde Helitack, Durango Interagency, Southwest Ambulance Service, and Dolores County SAR - and both Dolores County and Cortez Dispatch. 

Strong work all!

07/22/2026

07/06/2026

Important: Power will be down to fight the Ferris Fire

NOTICE: Expect a power outage from approximately 2:45PM until approximately 9:00PM (depending) while firefighters work. This outage will likely effect all residents East of CR 15 in Dove Creek/Cahone (in the areas evacuated)

07/06/2026

FIXED!

07/06/2026

Evacuate now see below

GO STATUS EVACUATE LEAVE NOW Montezuma County Line to CR H.6 and CR 15 EAST TO CANYON RIM INCLUDING ZONE 7 AND PART OF ZONE 9 AND 11 EVACUATE TO PLEASANTVIEW FIRE STATION FOR MANDATORY CHECK IN

07/04/2026

Always be "Ready"!

Information: "Ready" Reminder and FIRE Ban

Dolores County INFORMATION: Fire conditions in the SW are extreme and we have large fires in Utah, Dolores County, and throughout Colorado. Possible thunder storms are coming next week with dry lightning in our County. REMINDER- Dolores County is always in the "READY" Status.

READY Means Be Prepared
In a wildland fire setting, being READY is the first—and most important—step you can take to protect your family, home, and community.

Have a go-kit ready – Include important documents, medications, clothing, pet supplies, food, and water. Have a plan for large animals.

Stay alert – Sign up for emergency alerts and monitor official fire information—and trust your instincts.

Plan ahead – Know multiple evacuation routes and set a meeting place for your family.

Harden your home – Take steps to remove flammable materials within 30 feet of your home. This includes firewood, flammable patio furniture, and closing windows.
REMEMBER: Our County has a fire ban. NO OPEN BURNING - NO FIREWORKS ! Thank you, Emergency Management