False iPhone SOS Triggers Major Search Near Pinnacles Lake

August 3 2025 - Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) shared an unusual story on their Facebook page about a rescue task that occurred last weekend.

After receiving a satellite SOS from an iPhone that read: “THERE IS A FIRE, SOMEONE IS ON FIRE,” with GPS coordinates pointing to the remote Pinnacles Lake area east of Vernon, VSAR mobilized teams by road and helicopter.

Helicopter Winch Team, using the Air Rescue One Helicopter Winch Society (AROHWS) helicopter & flight crew.Society

Six ground volunteers and four helicopter winch specialists were dispatched due to the potential for serious injuries.

As teams advanced, the RCMP flagged the distress call as a possible hoax. The report ultimately turned out to be false.

VSAR eventually located the supposed victim safe at home and unaware of any emergency.

Why did the iPhone allegedly send an emergency SOS message?

No one knows for certain, but one explanation has been offered.

The hiker had been in the Pinnacles Lake area earlier, and their phone reportedly died while passing through a wildfire burn zone.

It’s speculated that a glitch, possibly triggered by Siri as the phone shut down—may have mistakenly activated the SOS feature.

There have been similar odd alerts in the past, including a winter incident where another SAR team received the exact same “someone is on fire” message.

In this case, the outcome was harmless, and the hiker was never in danger. SAR reminds the public that their services are always free and they'd always rather be safe than sorry.