Wayne County Search and Rescue

11/13/2023

Thank you DPS for your assistance!

11/13/2023

Alcatraz canyon

01/08/2023

2023 Wayne County Search and Rescue

08/28/2022

Yesterday the SAR team participated in a GPS training on the Fish Lake and Thousand Lake mountain ranges.

06/24/2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE

On Thursday June 23rd, 2022, at approximately 12:18pm, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office was notified of flash flooding in Capitol Reef National Park that could potentially cause trouble on SR24.
There was active flooding in Grand Wash, Park rangers were on scene getting people out of the wash, while doing so some of the park rangers got stranded in the flood but were able to get to high ground.
Wayne County Sheriff Dan Jensen responded to the park, he also contacted Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Commander Rustin Grundy to come assist, along with search and rescue members.
Park rangers were unsure if people that were visiting the park had made it back to their vehicles and out of the flash flooding.
Richfield dispatch center was told to contact DPS Aero Bureau to see if they could fly to the scene and assist with getting people out of the flood and to safety, since there was an excessive number of visitors in the park, and the flooding was so severe.
Park service said there was no medical issues at the time, and the people were ok.
Sheriff Jensen responded to HWY24 in the Grand Wash area to determine road closures with U.D.O.T.
U.D.O.T worked on clearing the roadways.
A jet fuel trailer was brought up from Hanksville to assist DPS with refueling.
SR24 was closed to clear debris, while that was happening 2 more storm cells hit, causing more flooding.
Park Rangers tried to get into Capitol Gorge, but the road was washed out.
DPS helicopter was able to make contact with people that were stranded there. They were able to hoist them out and brought them to a parking area. There were approximately 60 people in that parking lot that almost had to spend the night, however the park rangers worked diligently to clear the roads, making them passible.
Park rangers were able to find lodging and are shuttling people out of the parking area to the surrounding motels. The only injuries reported were minor cuts and lacerations.

There are approximately 7-8 disabled vehicles in the flood areas.
They will work to get them out conditions permitting.

Contact Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for further updates 435-836-1308

05/30/2022

04/13/2022

Fremont River District-All three gates on Thousand Lake Mountain (Polk, Bakers, and Riley’s) have been CLOSED.

The road on the west side of Boulder (going over to Escalante) and on top are still closed because of snow.

The road going down Lower Bows (east end) is currently open.

For more information, please call the district office at 435-836-2800

03/24/2022