Okanogan Search and Rescue Association

08/27/2026

Thank you Aero Methow for talking about this!

08/10/2026

With wildfires burning across the West, hikers should take precautions regarding smoke. When hiking, you are pulling in 10-20x more air (and thus smoke) into your lungs. Keep an eye on air quality and consider sheltering indoors if conditions worsen.

📍Learn more about managing this situation by visiting https://closures.pcta.org/info/n7LMP6q3O6XHU8wNnA0k

Photo by: Saskia Kroesen

07/27/2026

This is a long video but it’s a very good story about a hiker getting pinned under a 6000 lb boulder in a remote area requiring a night time hasty search and rescue response from the viewpoint of the subject. If you got a call out to a rescue like this, what would be your plan of action? What items would you bring? This story explains how SAR in California came prepared with a high angle pulley system and a high lift jack.

Soft White Underbelly interview and portrait of Kevin, a hiker who ...

07/20/2026

Okanogan County Search and Rescue had a basic river rescue skills training planned for yesterday July 19th but had to cancel due to our instructor who is also a member being busy assisting on the wildfires in Okanogan County and multiple road closures. We hope to reschedule our training so we can build our water team readiness. Remember to wear life vests when out recreating on the water.

07/08/2026

Nice work Candice and K9 Mo

****FOR IMMEDIATE RELAESE****

July 7, 2026
Case #26-07868
Sgt Paul Wolfe

On July 5, 2026, deputies with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Mount Vernon Police Department - WA in the search for a missing person. The individual was identified as a 21-year-old male with functional limitations.

After the subject’s vehicle was located abandoned, deputies requested the assistance of Skagit County Search and Rescue volunteers to aid in the search. The area consisted of dense, heavily wooded terrain, requiring the specialized training and capabilities of Search and Rescue personnel.

During the operation, Search and Rescue K-9 teams located personal items belonging to the missing individual and, shortly thereafter, successfully located him. He was transported to a nearby medical facility for evaluation and was later reunited with his family.

This incident highlights the critical role and dedication of our Search and Rescue volunteers. Their continued commitment, along with the exceptional work of the K-9 handler and her partner, “Mo” (pictured below), demonstrates the invaluable service they provide to the citizens of Skagit County.

06/24/2026

Rattlesnake awareness post! Okanogan County has already had several rattlesnake bites this year and we wanted to provide some info about snake basics and what to do if you encounter one.

Things to know about rattlesnakes:
Found across the United States in mountains, prairies, deserts and beaches.
May use their rattles as a warning if they are feeling threatened, but do not always rattle before biting.
Are most active from spring through fall during the cooler parts of the day (early morning, late afternoon, dusk).

Prevention Tips:
Rattlesnakes would rather leave you alone! If you encounter one, walk away and do not provoke it.
Watch where you walk especially in tall grass and look before your each or grab something hidden. Stay on trails when hiking and consider leashing your dog.
Wear proper footwear when hiking, as bites commonly occur in people walking barefoot or with sandals.

Rattlesnake Bite Treatment:
In the unlikely event you are bitten by a rattlesnake, there are some steps you can take to help improve the outcome.
DO:
Seek immediate medical attention: The administration of antivenom, if needed, is most effective when given within a certain time frame after the bite.
Remove any jewelry, watches or tight clothing from near the bite area.
Wash the area gently with soap and water.
Attempt to immobilize the bitten area in a neutral position of comfort below heart level. If in a backcountry setting, follow these same steps the best you can while determining a plan to get to the trailhead, whether that’s walking on your own, being carried, or potentially other means based on the severity of your symptoms.
Cover or wrap the bite area loosely with a clean, dry bandage.
Take a picture or be able to describe the snake.
DON’T:
Attempt to capture or kill the snake: this might put you at risk for another bite.
Apply ice or a tourniquet, or attempt to suck the venom out: these treatment methods are not effective and can cause more harm.
Drink alcohol or caffeine, or take over the counter pain relievers.

SOURCES: Mayo Clinic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

06/11/2026

The text alert can pop up at any minute, notifying search and rescue members of a missing hiker, injured climber, or overdue backcountry skier. Answering that alert is part of their daily lives, and it can come at any time, in the middle of dinner, during a snowstorm, or even while they’re laying ...

06/06/2026

This podcast has some great interviews with SAR k9 handlers from around the country. Especially good info for people who are beginners and are considering getting a dog to train as a search dog.

Pets & Animals Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Hunt-Find-Alert is a discussion about everything related to K-9 Search and Rescue. This podcast is for people involved in Search and Rescue, first responders, or people who are just interested in the …

05/11/2026

On Saturday, members of Okanogan County Search and Rescue practiced a mock mission to incorporate searching, ground teams, communications, rope rescue, subject first aid, and wheeled litter. A moderate angle litter lowering was practiced by the rope rescue team. This training day was designed to mimic a real mission to test the team after the many hours of training they have been putting in recently. The hasty team encountered an environmental hazard - a very large and agitated Northern Pacific rattlesnake - in a pinch point on the trail with limited options of going around the snake without being in striking distance. The team communicated over the radio about the hazard and waited until it was safer to pass. Thank you to all who helped plan and organize this training.

05/11/2026