Crews Rescue 2 People at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

First responders from multiple agencies responded to the scene for a water rescue operation.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Several first responder agencies, including CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Fire, Felton Fire, AMR, and California State Parks, are assisting with a water rescue at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Crews have made contact with the two people in the water and are working to get them to safety.

Why it matters

Water rescues in remote state parks can be challenging and require a coordinated response from multiple emergency services. This incident highlights the importance of public safety preparedness and the need for visitors to exercise caution when exploring natural areas.

The details

The water rescue operation is currently underway at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a popular outdoor recreation area in Santa Cruz, California. First responders from various agencies, including fire departments and emergency medical services, have been dispatched to the scene to assist with the rescue.

  • The initial emergency call was received around 8:07 PM on February 16, 2026.

The players

CAL FIRE

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a state agency responsible for fire protection and emergency response.

Santa Cruz County Fire

The fire department serving Santa Cruz County, California.

Felton Fire

The fire department serving the community of Felton, California, located within Santa Cruz County.

AMR

American Medical Response, a private emergency medical services provider.

California State Parks

The agency responsible for managing and operating California's state park system.

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What’s next

The rescue operation is ongoing, and authorities will provide updates on the condition of the two people once they have been safely brought to shore.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of outdoor safety and the need for visitors to be prepared when exploring remote natural areas. It also highlights the crucial role of first responders in conducting complex rescue operations in challenging environments.