B.C. search and rescue team issues backcountry warning after 5 calls in 1 day

This photo posted to the Avalanche Canada website shows the location of a fatal avalanche on Feb. 24, 2026. (Credit: avalanche.ca)

Pemberton District Search and Rescue is urging people to be prepared before heading into the backcountry after Thursday was one of the busiest days in the team’s history.

Volunteers received five consecutive calls for help, beginning with a “serious avalanche incident” involving three people, the organization said in a news release Friday. One individual was seriously injured, which required a “complex and urgent rescue” in hazardous conditions.

Shortly after, rescuers were called to the Pemberton Icefield area to help a snowmobiler who broke their leg.

While responding to that incident, volunteers were “immediately redeployed” to a third call to medically evacuate an injured skier near Joffre Peak.

The other two calls of the day were about overdue backcountry groups, and in both cases the individuals were able to return to safety on their own, PSAR said.

“This was a demanding and complex operational period for our team,” said David MacKenzie, president of PSAR, in the release. “Responding to five back-to-back calls—three of them involving injuries—places significant strain on our volunteers, resources, and coordination systems. We’re incredibly proud of the professionalism and resilience shown by our members throughout the day.”

PSAR said the incidents serve as a reminder of the risks associated with backcountry travel, especially during the transition between winter and spring when avalanche hazards and changing weather can make situations go south quickly.

The organization urged anyone venturing into the backcountry to check avalanche and weather forecasts before leaving, bring the proper equipment, share trip plans with a trusted person, and prepare for self-rescue and extended stays in the wilderness.

“We are seeing continued high usage of the backcountry,” MacKenzie said. “Preparation, training, and sound decision-making are critical to ensuring a safe experience for everyone.”

The avalanche danger warning in the region was “moderate” on Friday, but Avalanche Canada noted that wind slabs have been “reactive” and can be triggered in steep areas.