All nine victims of a recent avalanche have been recovered from the Sierra Nevada in California, according to Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon’s statement on Saturday.
Recovery Efforts
The final victim was recovered Saturday after a Black Hawk helicopter reached the snowy, mountainous region where the fatal avalanche occurred earlier this week. Eight of the victims were located on Tuesday.
Who Was Lost
Among those who died were six women described as close friends and experienced skiers, and three professional guides. Six other skiers survived the avalanche.
Brutal weather conditions and the ongoing threat of additional avalanches initially hampered recovery efforts. The avalanche itself was approximately the size of a football field.
Mitigation and Support
A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the avalanche site, barring unauthorized aircraft until 5 p.m. Sunday. Officials began using water on Friday to attempt to destabilize the snowpack as a mitigation technique, aiming to reduce the risk to rescue crews.
The search and recovery operation involved multiple agencies, including California Highway Patrol air operations, Nevada County Sheriff’s search and rescue, Tahoe Nordic search and rescue, Pacific Gas & Electric, and the Sierra avalanche center.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the avalanche occur?
The avalanche struck this week, with the initial reports coming in around February 17, 2026. Eight bodies were found on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, and the final victim was recovered on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
How many people survived the avalanche?
Six skiers survived the avalanche and were rescued by search and rescue teams.
What was done to aid in the recovery?
A Black Hawk helicopter was used to access the area, and officials used water to break up the snow as part of avalanche mitigation work. Multiple agencies participated in the search and rescue efforts.
As conditions continue to be assessed in the Sierra Nevada, what steps might be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future?
