Mountain View Fire and Rescue and King County Sheriff’s marine units have had numerous calls for river rescues along the Green River during the warm weather. Most of the rescues are due to ill prepared people floating down the river.

Many of the rescues are people that start their trip below Flaming Geyser Sate Park late afternoon and expect a trip to last approximately three hours. What they find is that the water level is very low and a trip could last over six hours.

The boaters are usually out of drinking water and they have no food, have no shoes and their only clothes are a bathing suit. The boaters usually try to exit the river, but find that there is limited access off of the river so they call 911. Once emergency crews arrive on scene they find the people are usually uninjured, but they are cold and glad to be off of the river.

Safety Message

The water level in the Green River is very low and float trips may take much longer than anticipated. Be sure to plan accordingly, have proper footwear and supplies for your trip.

Local volunteer firefighters needed

King County Fire District No. 44 is accepting applications until Aug. 20 for the fall volunteer recruit academy. We are looking for indistrict volunteers and resident volunteers. For more information and/or an application e visit www.kcfd44.org.

Fire report

Fire: 5

Emergency medical services/rescue: 37

Hazardous conditions: 2

Service calls: 3

Good intent: 3

False call: 2

Other: 1

Total calls: 53