Emergency responders comb SLO County lake for reported victim in water
Update, 9:25 p.m.:
The San Luis Obispo County Fire Department said the reported person in the water had not been located as of late Sunday.
“Despite extensive search efforts, the victim has not yet been located,” the Fire Department said in an update on X. The agency said the incident was being transitioned to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, who will continue operations.
“We remain committed to supporting our partner agencies and appreciate the coordinated efforts of all responders involved,” it said.
Original story:
A “full water rescue” was ongoing at Lopez Lake in southern San Luis Obispo County on Sunday evening, after a person was reported in distress in the area.
According to a San Luis Obispo County Fire Department post on X, crews were notified at approximately 4:20 p.m. of a “witnessed submersion.”
The agency said a “full water rescue response,” including the Urban Search and Rescue team was still “actively gridding the area in search of the victim” as of 6:42 p.m.
“Crews are working alongside San Luis Ambulance, CALSTAR, Pismo Lifeguards, San Luis Obispo County Parks and the Sheriff’s Dive Team, utilizing boats, jet skis, drones, paddle boards and rescue swimmers in an ongoing search effort,” the Fire Department said in the post.
People were asked to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to conduct the search safely.
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 7:11 PM.
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