MADERA COUNTY, CA – Madera County Sheriff’s Office officials are using a recent Search and Rescue response as a strong reminder to the public about the importance of preparation, situational awareness, and sound decision-making during winter weather conditions.
Winter storms continue to impact mountain communities across the region. While many backcountry roads may appear navigable, conditions can deteriorate quickly. Saturated soil, snowmelt, and ongoing precipitation often turn dirt and Forest Service roads into hazardous stretches with little warning. Officials say the result can be dangerous situations that place travelers and rescuers at risk.
On January 2, 2026, Search and Rescue crews with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle stuck in deep mud above Sugar Pine in the Sierra National Forest.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a family of four was traveling along a Forest Service road when they encountered a large, muddy section of roadway. Recent winter storms had saturated the area. What initially appeared passable quickly proved otherwise. As the vehicle entered the muddy stretch, it lost traction and became immobilized…