Helicopter Crew Lifts Three Hikers From 8,600-Foot Sierra Buttes Ridge

Three hikers stuck on a steep slope in northern California were airlifted to safety on Sunday. The rescue operation was triggered by a distress signal sent from a satellite communication device. The incident occurred on the Sierra Buttes, a rugged mountain located near the North Yuba River canyon.

The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office received the alert at approximately 2:30 p.m. A Garmin inReach device sent the SOS signal to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Deputies immediately launched a search and rescue mission. They called in the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Mountain Rescue Team to assist on the ground.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office provided aerial support with its RAVEN helicopter crew. Once the crew located the group, a rescuer was lowered from the aircraft to reach the hikers. The trio was then hoisted up and transported to a landing zone. Sierra County deputies waited at the base to receive the rescued individuals.

The sheriff’s office stated that a helicopter hoist was required because of the difficult terrain and the hazardous location. The group was found just south of a fire lookout tower near the mountain’s summit. The Sierra Buttes rise to an elevation of approximately 8,600 feet. Officials thanked the various teams for their coordination during the operation.

Authorities did not specify how the hikers became stranded or if any of them sustained injuries. The Sierra Buttes are a known landmark for hikers and are marked by a fire lookout at the top. The rescue drew attention on social media, where users praised the RAVEN team. One commenter noted that Sheriff Balaam’s use of the unit shows its value to the region.

This incident follows two other major rescues in northern California earlier this month. Last week, a 39-year-old man from Florida was treated for a severe leg injury after falling through a snow bridge on Whitney Glacier. Rescuers carried him to a landing zone after bad weather delayed an aerial extraction. Earlier in the month, a 19-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman from Salt Lake City were rescued from Mount Shasta after being trapped between cliffs for 36 hours.

The recent string of mountain emergencies has highlighted the reliance on specialized aerial units in the area. The RAVEN helicopter crew has become a key asset for regional emergency response. The Sierra Buttes remain a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, despite the challenging conditions.