Santa Barbara County Search And Rescue

Rattlesnake season has already started, and outdoor enthusiasts should expect to encounter more rattlesnakes on trails throughout Santa Barbara County as temperatures continue to rise.

Before your next hike, trail run, or mountain bike ride, take a moment to review these safety tips. Knowing how to avoid an encounter and what to do if you or someone else is bitten can make a significant difference in an emergency.

Our local trails are a great place to explore, and rattlesnakes are a natural part of that environment. Staying alert, giving wildlife space, and being prepared helps keep everyone safe.

Save this post for your next outdoor adventure and share it with your hiking partners.

Stay prepared. Stay aware. Hike safe.

A busy night for SBCSAR (5/19/26) – At 4:51 PM, SBCSAR was dispatched for evacuations in the Cuyama Valley area due to the Foothill Fire. Four teams were conducting evacuations when another fire, the Farren Fire, broke out in Goleta, forcing mandatory evacuations in the area. At 8:55 PM, three teams assigned to the Foothill Fire were diverted to the Farren Fire, while two additional teams responded from Santa Barbara. Thankfully, the fire was quickly contained, and all teams were canceled while en route. Teams assigned to the Foothill Fire returned to that station by 12:00 AM.

At 1:30 AM, SBCSAR was dispatched to assist with a missing 85-year-old male. Teams searched high-probability areas he was known to frequent. Unfortunately, initial search efforts were unsuccessful, and the search was suspended at 4:00 AM until daylight. Thankfully, he was found later that morning in a creek near his home. We are grateful he was reunited safely with his family. A special thank you to for deploying two handlers and two trailing dogs to assist in the search efforts. CARDA was requested through Cal OES as part of California’s statewide search and rescue mutual aid system.

If you have a loved one who may be prone to wandering due to age, cognitive decline, autism, or other conditions, programs like Project Lifesaver can be an invaluable tool in helping first responders quickly locate missing individuals. Early location can make a critical difference in bringing loved ones home safely. To learn more about Project Lifesaver, please DM us or visit https://sbcsar.org/project-life-saver

More Mesa Rescue (5/16/26) - At approximately 3:30 p.m., SBCSAR was dispatched alongside and for a paraglider who had crashed into the cliffside at More Mesa.

The paraglider’s chute became caught on the edge of the cliff, and fellow paragliders quickly rigged an additional chute to help prevent the female pilot from falling.

Santa Barbara County Fire was first on scene, where crews established a rope system and lowered a medic over the cliff to secure the patient. Rescuers at the top then built a raising system and safely brought both the medic and paraglider back to the top.

Copter 308 remained on scene throughout the operation in the event a helicopter hoist rescue became necessary.

Fortunately, the pilot did not sustain any injuries and was released by medics on scene.

All Night Rescue in McCoy Canyon - Yesterday afternoon, April 26, 2026, two women began hiking from Lizard’s Mouth on West Camino Cielo, planning to descend McCoy Canyon to their home in Goleta. Believing there was a trail leading out to Glen Annie Road, they encountered thick brush, large boulders, and steep waterfalls instead.

After reaching a vertical waterfall they could not safely navigate — and unable to climb back up — they contacted a family member for help. The husband attempted to reach them but was stopped by the difficult terrain and called 911.

Our team was paged at 10:43 PM last night. Using cell phone contact and SMS location sharing, we deployed two ground teams up the canyon from the north end of Glen Annie Road.

At 2:18 AM this morning, our teams made contact with the hikers. After a medical assessment confirmed they were uninjured, we set up rope systems to belay them safely down the waterfall. We then assisted them through the steep, heavily brushed canyon to our vehicles for transport back home.

The incident was completed at 7:52 AM.

Both hikers are now safe with their family. This incident highlights how quickly familiar canyons can become technical and hazardous when leaving established trails, especially after dark.

Grateful for the teamwork and dedication of our SAR volunteers who made this rescue possible. We’re glad this ended safely.

Safety Reminder:
Not all “routes” on maps or word-of-mouth are safe or passable trails. Our local canyons can quickly become technical, impassable, and dangerous—especially after dark.
✔ Research your route carefully
✔ Turn around before terrain becomes unsafe
✔ Carry a fully charged phone and emergency signaling tools
✔ When in doubt, don’t commit to unfamiliar descents

santabarbara KnowBeforeYouGo

Seven Falls Trail Rescue - At 11:37 AM, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR) responded to the Seven Falls Trail for a hiker who had gotten stranded on a rocky ledge. Nearby hikers heard her call out for help and dialed 911.

SBCSAR, along with and firefighters, located the hiker. SAR team members lowered a rope to use as a hand line to help the rescuers and hiker back up to the trail . The hiker was assessed and determined to be without injury or medical complaint and was escorted back down the trail.

We appreciate today’s coordinated response from Santa Barbara County Fire, Santa Barbara City Fire, and thank you for standing by at La Cumbre Peak if needed.

Montecito Peak Snake Bite (4/6/26) - At 10:55 A.M., , along with and , responded to the Cold Springs Trail for a hiker who had been bitten by a snake of unknown type. Copter 308 located the female hiker on the Ridge Trail and safely airlifted her to the hospital for further medical care.
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Rattlesnake Awareness

As temperatures rise across Santa Barbara County, rattlesnake activity increases on our local trails and in the backcountry. Whether you are hiking, trail running, or exploring with family, it is important to stay aware and prepared.

Rattlesnakes play an important role in our ecosystem and are generally not aggressive, but they will defend themselves if threatened. Most bites occur when someone gets too close or attempts to handle or move a snake.

How to Stay Safe:
• Stay on established trails and avoid tall grass or brush
• Watch where you step and place your hands, especially around rocks and logs
• Do not attempt to approach, move, or disturb a snake
• Keep children and dogs close and under control
• Be especially cautious during warmer parts of the day

If You Encounter a Rattlesnake:
• Stop immediately and remain calm
• Slowly back away and give the snake plenty of space
• Do not attempt to interact with it

If a Bite Occurs:
• Call 911 immediately
• Stay calm and limit movement to slow the spread of venom
• Keep the affected limb immobilized and elevated above heart level
• Remove tight clothing or jewelry near the bite area
• Do not apply ice, cut the wound, or attempt to suck out the venom

Early activation of emergency services is critical. Our team, along with our partner agencies, is ready to respond when needed.

Stay aware, stay prepared, and enjoy the outdoors safely.

Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR) has successfully passed its 2026 Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) Technical Rock Reaccreditation, a major achievement that reflects the team’s continued commitment to excellence in mountain rescue.

MRA reaccreditation is a rigorous peer review process in which teams are evaluated on complex, real world rescue scenarios involving high angle terrain, technical rope systems, leadership, communication, and safety. Teams must meet strict national standards and retest every few years to maintain accreditation.

Passing this test reaffirms that SBCSAR operates at the highest level of professionalism, readiness, and technical capability, ensuring the community and partner agencies can rely on them in the most challenging environments.

Congratulations to all team members for the hard work, training, and dedication that made this accomplishment possible.

Rattlesnake Canyon Trail Rescue (3/15/26) – At 9:17 AM, , along with , and , were dispatched for an injured hiker on Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. The hiker was located approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead after sustaining a minor head injury in a fall.

After being assessed by rescuers, the hiker was escorted down the trail while his condition continued to be monitored.

Upon reaching the trailhead, the hiker was reassessed by medics and elected to be transported to the hospital by ambulance for further medical care.