California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association

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California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association

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The California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association consists of over 20 rescue teams from thoughout the state of California and parts of Nevada.

The Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) is a national volunteer organization dedicated to saving lives through rescue and mountain safety education. The California Region of the Mountain Rescue Association consists of over 20 rescue teams from thoughout the state of California. Majority of the members are unpaid volunteers who are highly trained. Accredited teams must meet the high standards of the MRA and must be re-evaluated every five years in each of the three search and rescue skills: Search and Tracking, Technical Rock, and Snow and Ice. California MRA teams not only respond to search and rescue operations in the unit's area of responsibility, but will also respond to mutual aid calls anywhere in the state to assist other agencies.

09/29/2026

When the call comes, Mountain Rescue Association Teams answer, day or night. Across California, teams stand ready to respond when people need help in the most challenging places.

MCSO Search and Rescue, Big Sur Fire and “Lasso 3” from Naval Air Station Lemoore conduct overnight rescue operation in Big Sur -

On Sunday September 27th, 2026, at about 7:30 PM, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office SAR team was requested by Big Sur Fire after a satellite 911 call was made requesting assistance. Three hikers had become lost and disoriented, and one was experiencing a medical emergency. Big Sur Fire and MCSO SAR entered into unified command for this operation.

Seven members of the MCSO SAR team began an approximate 2.5 mile at about 2000 feet of elevation into Limekiln State Park. The hike took about 1 hour and 30 minutes inbound on trails that needed to be cleared with machetes and chainsaws due to overgrowth. Simultaneously, assistance was requested from “Lasso 3, an MH-60S Seahawk hoist capable search and rescue helicopter operating out of Lemoore Naval Air Station. At about 12:30 AM, the three hikers were located by MCSO SAR. Lasso 3 was able to hoist the three hikers to a safe location where they were turned over to Big Sur Fire and Ambulance personnel.

MCSO SAR personnel hiked back on foot and completed this mission at about 4:00 AM on 9/28/26.

Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team Lemoore Search and Rescue Big Sur Fire

05/31/2026

Mountain Rescue teams from across the state are assisting the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office with a missing 60-year-old hiker in the Desolation Wilderness.

05/22/2026

HeliOps 2026 brought together MRA teams from across California for three days of intensive helicopter training at Lake Mendocino, hosted by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Teams traveled from throughout the state including San Diego, Riverside, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Clara counties as well as BAMRU (Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit) to train alongside an incredible lineup of aviation partners. Participating aircraft and crews included the U.S. Coast Guard, Army National Guard, CAL FIRE, REACH Air Medical Services, and Butte County Sheriff’s Office Aviation.

From hoist operations and short haul evolutions to interagency coordination and mission readiness, HeliOps continues to strengthen the partnerships, skills, and teamwork that make technical rescue operations possible.

A huge thank you to Direct Relief and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office who made the event possible, all participating teams, aircrews, instructors, and support personnel who made HeliOps 2026 a success.

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04/08/2026

Mountain Rescue teams across California are seeing an increase in rattlesnake bites. Here are some tips to prevent these encounters from CA Poison Control:

- Carefully inspect logs or rocks before sitting on them when hiking outdoors, wear protective gear and pay attention to your surroundings
- Carry a fully charged mobile phone and let people know where you plan to hike and how long you will be gone
- Do not touch or disturb the snake, even if it appears dead
- Hike with a buddy
- If you spot a rattlesnake, stay away
- Look after children and keep dogs and other pets on a leash
- Stay on trails, away from underbrush and tall weeds
- Watch your step and pay attention to your surroundings

If bitten, remain calm and do not panic. Call 911 immediately.

03/21/2026

Several teams from the southern portion of the California Region of the MRA are reaccrediting in technical rock skills in the Horseman's Center Park near Apple Valley. The test is hosted by the West Valley Search and Rescue.

03/19/2026

This week's Third Thursday presentation by Sabine McCarthy and Natalie Brechtel from Inyo SAR, a California Region MRA team.

NOTE: Tonight's training will start at 6 pm Pacific Daylight Time and not PST.

We hope you will join us for this week's Third Thursday presentation by Sabine McCarthy and Natalie Brechtel from Inyo SAR on Preventive Search and Rescue. Sabine and Natalie would also like to hear from all of you about what your teams are doing for PSAR, so please tune in and share your ideas! Please check your email or speak to your teams' MRA rep for the link to join.

03/07/2026

Several teams from the northern portion of the California Region of the MRA are reaccrediting in technical rock skills in the U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest. The test is hosted by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue.

02/17/2026

UPDATE 3:40 PM om 2/17/26: https://www.facebook.com/nevadacountysheriffsoffice/posts/pfbid0gMfVyuYhLJYjtZWfeNSAJS4ovvJ8YUzjhRZ1ApfYdnM8UDvAmULLrX3FhosrF9WWl

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office along with our Nevada County Sheriff's Search & Rescue team and allied agencies, are responding to a report of an avalanche in the Castle Peak area that occurred at approximately 11:30 am today. It has been reported that a group of back country skiers was involved in the incident, with several members of the party missing at this time. This is a developing incident, and we will provide further details as they become available.

Address

1160 Lake Mendocino Dr
Ukiah, CA
95482

Website

http://www.crmra.org/

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