A puzzling iPhone SOS message sent rescuers racing to a remote B.C. mountain—only to find the “burning” hiker safe at home.
Siri Sends Rescuers on a Wild Goose Chase
When Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) volunteers got an emergency alert claiming someone was on fire on a remote B.C. mountain, they sprang into action—fast. But what started as a high-stakes mission turned into a baffling tech mystery that left rescuers scratching their heads… and maybe side-eyeing Siri.
A Desperate Message from the Mountains?
It was a typical Friday afternoon on August 1st when VSAR received a chilling iPhone SOS text:
“THERE IS A FIRE, SOMEONE IS ON FIRE.”
The message, transmitted via Apple’s satellite feature on an iPhone 14 or newer, pinpointed a location near Pinnacle Lake—about two hours east of Vernon, plus a 90-minute hike. With urgency high and medical risks unknown, six VSAR members hit the road while four more boarded a helicopter, all racing to what sounded like a life-or-death scenario.
Command Center Chaos—and a Call from the RCMP
Back at base, the VSAR command team worked to trace the phone’s owner, who appeared to be on the move toward a trailhead. Just as things started making sense, a twist came from an unexpected source—the RCMP.
Officers reported a strange complaint: someone claiming to be search and rescue was leaving odd messages and might be a scammer.
“Admittedly,” VSAR joked, “our Search Managers have been called many things over the years, but ‘spammer and scammer’ are new ones for us.”
Wait—Nobody Was Ever in Danger?
Here’s where it gets truly bizarre: the hiker in question was safe at home on their couch, completely unaware that a full-scale rescue had been launched—because of them.
So how did this happen?
VSAR pieced together that the hiker had been in the Pinnacle Lake area earlier that day. As they returned to their car, their phone died—likely just as they passed through a zone previously scorched by wildfire.
And then… Siri may have gone rogue.
Did Siri Cry Wolf?
With no evidence of human error, VSAR suspects a last gasp from the iPhone’s dying battery triggered a garbled SOS transmission. Perhaps Siri, in a dramatic exit, misread the situation.
“Was this Siri’s final breath? A twisted goodbye message?” VSAR wondered in their Facebook update.
Tech Glitches vs. Real Lifesavers
While the incident was strange—okay, downright sci-fi—VSAR used it as a reminder: tech isn’t perfect, but it’s still changing rescue work for the better.
“Sure, this one was a head-scratcher,” VSAR said, “but satellite tech has massively improved how quickly and accurately we respond to real emergencies.”
They were also grateful this call turned out to be nothing more than a curious case of miscommunication.
A Reminder from the Real Heroes
VSAR took a moment to remind the public that all B.C. search and rescue services are 100% free, provided by dedicated volunteers who thrive on uncertainty, love a good mystery, and never take themselves too seriously.
Because when Siri cries wolf, these folks will still show up—just in case it’s real.
Key Takeaways:
- A false SOS via iPhone satellite tech sparked a major rescue operation.
- The message said someone was on fire—turns out, they were at home.
- Glitches happen, but satellite tech still saves lives.
- Search and rescue in B.C. is always free and run by volunteers.
