LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – This heat can be dangerous for hikers or anyone outside — and for the people who rescue them when they need help.
Red Rock Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer team helping more than ten partner agencies across Nevada, looking for lost hikers and other missing people.
This summer, with temperatures soaring, most of their calls are coming from within the city rather than from the mountains or desert, according to Bonnie Bannigan, Red Rock Search and Rescue Vice Commander of Membership and Public Relations.
“We’re definitely getting a lot more calls in the city. People underestimate because they’re not going out with the intention to do a 10-mile hike,” she said. “The individuals in town are more of the wanderers and the people who have walked out of their house unprepared not expecting to be gone long.”
The National Park Service says over the weekend, a motorcyclist died from heat exposure while riding through Death Valley in 128° heat, and medical helicopters were unable to respond since it’s generally unsafe to fly in temperatures over 120°.
MORE: Death Valley National Park reaches 128 degrees, motorcyclist died from heat exposure
Bannigan said so far, her team hasn’t been called to a situation where a search was too risky to attempt, but extreme weather is always considered when planning their approach.
“Would we go to Death Valley in 130-degree weather? That would really question the risk versus reward,” she said. “Is the likelihood of us finding this person and getting them safe better than the risk of our own getting hurt or someone else getting injured in the process?”
Sometimes the search ends with a happy reunion.
“And sometimes it’s not a happy moment because it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, we found someone who didn’t make it for some reason or another. However, the family is always so appreciative that we’ve been able to bring them closure,” said Bannigan. “That’s why we keep doing what we do. It keeps us going.”
Red Rock Search and Rescue volunteers also go out to trailheads proactively to give hikers tips on staying safe.
Bannigan said fewer search and rescue calls from hikers this year could mean the education is working, and hikers are taking their advice.
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