With over 70 search days already in 2018, it’s been a record year for Kamloops Search and Rescue.

Those 70 search days were part of 40 calls this year, and there are two weeks of the year still to go.

Communications Manager Jenn Stahn says there have been several notable tasks.

“The search for Ryan Shtuka up in Sun Peaks spread out over several months,” she said. “Prior to that, we also had a search along the South Thompson River for a missing person.”

“We were also in West Kelowna as well providing mutual aid on longer tasks as well.”

In 2017, KSAR responded to 49 calls and spent 67 days searching – both of which were records at the time.

Stahn notes they’re a little concerned with the weather being unseasonably mild in the area.

“In our Kamloops region specifically, we haven’t had many callouts due to the weather being either mild or snowy,” she said. “So that’s been really good for us. I think our message is getting out to play safe.”

“But we have had some of our neighbouring teams that we’ve been called out to help. Snowmobiles have definitely been getting out not far east and north of us. It has caused a few problems for some other teams already.”

She hoping the year ends with people staying safe, and not needing help from KSAR, but adds the winter break can be a busy period for search and rescue teams.