Smokey summers less SAR operations

Blaze-full, smoky summers credited for fewer Search and Rescue calls

Jul 12, 2019 | 11:22 AM

PRINCE GEORGE–According to Search and Rescue (SAR) Manager, Dave Merritt, numbers have been down in Search and Rescue operations over the past few years.

He attributes the decline to the wildfires that have blazed through the province the past several years. The Prince George SAR team has sees around 35-45 calls per year, but in 2017 and 2018 saw closer to the 35 range.

Seven months into the year and he says that they have seen around 15 calls so far, with two weekends in a row that saw three calls each.

Merritt mentions that although the calls have been down in past years, people should remember to take all the proper precautions before heading out to explore the great outdoors.”We want people to enjoy the outdoors but we are also trying to remind people to be safe. BC is a beautiful province. Get out and enjoy it but ensure that you’re looking after your partners and your group and protecting each other,” he said in an over the phone interview.

“We are trying to remind people to enjoy the outdoors, but make smart decisions.”–Dave Merritt SAR Manager with the Prince George Search and Rescue

He also mentions that ensuring you carry the ten essentials with you along with following the AdventureSmart principles is important.

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