Eaton Fire Recovery – Gear, Equipment, and Training Needs

This fundraiser is organized by Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team.

Tax deductible

After the destruction caused by the Eaton Fire, we're fundraising to support the Sierra Madre Search & Rescue team cover a raft of new operating costs, directly related to working in and around the burn areas. These include:

New or replacement equipment: additional dirt pickets for anchors ($600), PPE ($500), replacement rescue ropes ($1,200), and replacement fire shelters ($5,000)
External Training: Search Management Training ($1,800), Advanced mapping for Search and Rescue ($1,800), and Drone Training for Search ($500)
Side-by-side vehicle or 4x4 vehicle: To allow us to quickly deploy into burn area where landslides have closed the roads, we are looking at purchasing a side-by-side ($39,000) or a new to us second-hand 4x4 ($55,000)

SMSR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all volunteer organization. Founded in 1951 to save lives through mountain rescue and outdoor safety education.

The team relies on donations for 100% of its operating costs.

Your donation will go directly toward funding their post Eaton fire operational costs.

What The Sierra Madre Search & Rescue Team Does

Team members respond to calls for help 24/7. Search and Rescue services are provided at no cost. The team primarily operates in the steep, unforgiving terrain of the San Gabriel mountains and responds in all weathers, from extreme heat to blizzards. Much of the work - navigating steep, loose slopes; managing helicopter insertions and extractions and handling exposure - is inherently dangerous and the team manages risk through rigorous training and disciplined teamwork.

With approx. 40% of our territory now burned we need to operate in areas with no natural anchors, dangerously loose soils, fire roads with landslides that make passing in a standard 4x4 vehicle impossible, etc.

While some may ask why we rescue people from closed burned areas, the closed areas intersect with open areas and people make mistakes. Also, the fire has left previously passable fire roads in the open and popular Chantry Flats area (i.e., San Olene, Cardiac Hill) unpassable by our current vehicles.

The team has responded to over 5000 calls in the wilderness and saved many lives.

The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team is affiliated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as high-risk, civilian volunteers and accredited through the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA).