Santa Barbara County Search And Rescue

Romero Canyon Trail Rescue (9/5/26) — At 5:26 PM, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue responded to the Romero Canyon Trail for an injured hiker.

Montecito Fire Department firefighters located the hiker approximately one mile from the trailhead with an isolated ankle injury. The hiker was packaged in a rescue litter as SBCSAR’s Team 1 made its way up the trail.

Rescuers carried the hiker down the single-track trail to a Montecito Fire Department UTV, which transported the hiker down the fire road to a waiting ambulance. The hiker was then taken to the hospital for further medical care.

We thank the Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit and Santa Barbara County Fire Department for their initial response. They were canceled after it was determined that additional resources were not needed.

We appreciate the coordinated efforts of all our partner agencies.

Vehicle Over the Side (8/25/26) — At 1:58 PM, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle over the side of West Camino Cielo.

CHP Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County Fire Dept also responded and were able to determine that the vehicle was from a previous accident. Markings previously placed on the vehicle to alert first responders that it was from an old accident had worn off after prolonged exposure to the elements. Two SBCSAR teams were tasked with renewing the markings on the vehicle.

We are thankful this incident turned out not to be an emergency and appreciate the coordinated efforts of our partner agencies.

At 1:32 PM, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue responded to the Inspiration Point Trail for a hiker who was feeling faint. The 31-year-old woman had been hiking with friends, who called 911 when she began to feel ill.

Santa Barbara County Fire Dept and Santa Barbara City Fire Dept were able to make patient contact while SBCSAR was en route and provide medical care. Once on scene, SBCSAR transported the hiker and a fire medic back down to the trailhead. There, patient care was transferred to AMR for further evaluation.

We also appreciate and want to thank Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit for responding in case a hoist was necessary.

Overnight Search and Rescue Near Arlington Peak

Last night at approximately 10:30 p.m., Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR) was activated for a missing trail runner in the Jesusita Trail and Arlington Peak area.

The runner had set out from the Jesusita Trailhead earlier in the afternoon and had not returned. With family unable to reach him, multiple ground teams, an e-bike team, and UAV (drone) teams from SBCSAR and Santa Barbara County Fire Department were deployed to search the Jesusita, Inspiration Point, Tunnel Trail, and surrounding areas.

As one ground team reached Inspiration Point and called out for the subject, they heard a response in the distance. The team continued toward Arlington Peak via a steep, overgrown and difficult-to-follow section of trail, periodically calling out and establishing increasingly clear voice contact with the missing runner as they got closer.

At approximately 3:00 a.m., rescuers located him on the “Dragon’s Back” of the Arlington Peak area. He reportedly had become dehydrated during his run and remained in the area for several hours, eventually falling asleep. He awoke when he heard the search team calling for him.

Due to the remote and rugged terrain, Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit Copter 3 responded to assist with the extraction. An additional SBCSAR team established a landing zone on a private ranch below Inspiration Point. At approximately 3:50 am this morning Copter 3 hoisted the runner and rescuers from the mountain and transported them to the landing zone.

Following the hoist, the runner and all field teams were safely returned from the mountain, bringing the overnight search to a successful conclusion.

This incident is a good reminder that even familiar local trails can become difficult to navigate after dark. Carry adequate water, a light source, a charged phone, and always let someone know your planned route and expected return time.

SBCSAR also appreciated the assistance of Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s drone team, which deployed a drone to help pinpoint the runner’s location, as well as the ranch owner for providing access and critical assistance during the operation.

Multiple Rescues in the Santa Barbara Frontcountry

Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue responded to multiple calls for hikers in distress in the mountains above Santa Barbara today, with high temperatures and a lack of water provisions playing a significant role.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., the team was paged for a hiker needing assistance near Gibraltar Road. Search & Rescue established direct phone contact and determined the hiker was approximately six miles down Angostura Pass toward Gibraltar Reservoir. Although uninjured, the hiker was out of water and needed assistance returning to their vehicle.

Two SBCSAR field teams deployed, including a team utilizing e-bikes, while Santa Barbara County Fire and Santa Barbara City Fire also responded to assist.

As rescuers arrived in the area, SBCSAR received another call for two hikers in distress near La Cumbre Peak. The hikers had lost the trail and descended approximately 50 feet off their intended route. They reported being exposed to direct sun, out of water, and low on energy.

Rescuers established phone contact, confirmed their location, and instructed them to remain in place while teams responded. After reaching the hikers, rescuers determined that one was unable to safely hike out. Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit was requested for a hoist evacuation, and ultimately both hikers were hoisted from the area.

While responding to the rescue, SBCSAR members also encountered three additional hikers attempting a round trip to La Cumbre Peak who were struggling with the heat and running low on water. Team members provided them with additional water and arranged transportation back to the Tunnel Trailhead rather than having them continue hiking in the conditions.

Today’s responses are an important reminder that summer heat can quickly turn a routine hike into an emergency. Carry more water than you think you’ll need, know your route, and consider turning around early if temperatures, water supplies, or energy levels become a concern.

SBCSAR appreciates the coordinated response and support from partnering agencies.

Extreme Heat Warning for Santa Barbara County

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning through Thursday at 8:00 PM. Expect temperatures of 90–110°F, hottest on Wednesday, with warm nights and rising humidity offering little relief.

If you’re planning to hike or spend time outdoors, take extra precautions:

• Carry more water than you think you’ll need and drink regularly. Supplement with electrolytes (especially on longer hikes) to replace salts lost through heavy sweating.

• Start early and avoid strenuous activity during peak heat (10 AM–4 PM).

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.

• Know your limits, monitor how you feel, and when in doubt, turn around.

• Always tell someone your route and expected return time.

• Keep pets off hot trails and pavement.

Heat illness can strike fast. Signs like dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, or rapid heartbeat mean it’s time to get to shade/cool air immediately and call 911.

Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue
regularly responds to hikers and outdoor users in distress due to heat related illness. Many of these calls are preventable with smart planning, adequate hydration, and electrolyte replacement.

During periods of extreme heat, the safest choice may be to postpone your hike or outdoor adventure until temperatures return to normal.

Stay safe out there!

San Ysidro Trail Rescue (7/12/26) - At 3:52 PM, SBCSAR, along with Montecito Fire and Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit, were dispatched to San Ysidro Trail for a report of an injured hiker.

The hiker was located near San Ysidro Falls after suffering injuries in a fall. Medical care was provided on scene by fire medics while the hiker was prepared for a helicopter hoist.

Copter 3 successfully hoisted the hiker and transported them to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

We wish the hiker a full and speedy recovery.

📸 Montecito Fire

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