Volunteers Rescue 2 Hikers as Oregon Wildfire Rages

When a 58-year-old woman collapsed from dehydration on Smith Rock's Misery Ridge Trail, a small army of volunteers sprang into action to bring her home safely.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office dispatched volunteer search-and-rescue crews to the central Oregon trail on July 22 after reports came in of a disoriented hiker who couldn't make it down. Teams from Redmond Fire and Rescue, Bend Fire and Rescue, and an Oregon State Parks ranger reached the San Francisco woman first, with the volunteer rescue team arriving shortly after to help carry her down on a wheeled litter.

She was transported to St. Charles Bend Medical Center for treatment and recovery.

Just one day later, the same volunteer team answered another call. An 18-year-old from Sunriver had fallen while descending Broken Top near Green Lakes, injuring his leg badly enough that he couldn't walk out on his own.

The rescue started when someone with the hiker texted 911. Twelve volunteers hiked 4.5 miles up the Green Lakes Trail to reach the young man and his friend, then carefully transported him back down to the trailhead on a wheeled litter carrier.

Both rescues happened while the nation's highest priority wildfire raged miles to the east near Sisters. The volunteers navigated rising temperatures and smoke-filled air to reach people in trouble.

Why This Inspires

These rescues showcase the quiet heroism happening in communities across America. Volunteer search-and-rescue teams don't get paid for their time or expertise. They train for months, carry heavy equipment up steep trails, and drop everything when someone needs help.

The 12-person team that hiked nine miles round trip to save the young hiker could have been home with their families. Instead, they chose to spend hours in difficult conditions to make sure a stranger made it home safely.

Their message to summer hikers reflects their caring spirit: stay hydrated, bring plenty of water, and plan ahead before heading into the outdoors.

These volunteers prove that when things go wrong in the wilderness, everyday heroes are ready to answer the call.