With the outdoor season in full swing, calls for help to Northwest search and rescue teams are surging.

Why it matters: Seattle's easy access to wilderness is a major perk, but as more people hit the trails, preventable mishaps and rescues are rising, stretching the region's all-volunteer teams, according to King County Search and Rescue spokesperson Sara Autio.

Driving the news: Between Memorial Day weekend and the July Fourth holiday, KCSAR responded to 27 backcountry missions, according to new numbers provided to Axios.

• Most calls have come from the challenging climbs on Mailbox Peak, Mount Si and Snow Lake — all Instagram-famous hikes less than an hour from Seattle, said Autio.

What they're saying: "What this tells us is that hikers may not be doing enough research on just how hard they are, from steep switchbacks to rock fields and hundreds of feet of elevation gain," she told Axios. "These aren't hikes to try unprepared."

Between the lines: After seeing rescue calls spike by 400% in May and 550% in June, Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer told Axios she's pushing for an ordinance that would allow her office to fine hikers up to $1,000 for "absolutely reckless" decisions on trails.

• The goal, she says, is to make people think twice before heading unprepared to Mount St. Helens or Mount Adams, not to recoup public safety costs.
• Case in point: "We've seen people on very treacherous hikes in flip-flops. That is sheer negligence."

Yes, but: Some search and rescue groups — including KCSAR — warn that fines could make people hesitate to call for help, potentially making bad situations worse.

By the numbers: The average King County SAR mission takes about four hours using a ground crew of about 21 responders, per Autio.

The bottom line: It's easy to overestimate your readiness. If you haven't hiked lately, start small before taking on big climbs, Doug McCall of Seattle Mountain Rescue told Axios.

Go deeper

Worried about becoming a rescue statistic? Local experts say a little planning — and the right gear — can keep you out of trouble.

What to know: Stay off the SAR list with these tips from KCSAR.

• Plan ahead. Know your route, check the weather and understand your limits — don't let social media posts be your only research.
• Bring the right gear. The 10 essentials aren't just a checklist. They're lifesavers. Know how to use each item.
• Don't rely on a cellphone as your only light, navigation or communication tool.
• Tell someone your plans. Always let a friend or family member know where you're going and when you'll be back.
• Respect warnings. If a trail's closed, conditions are sketchy or your body says stop, listen.
• Don't hike alone. Most rescues are for solo hikers caught off guard.

Hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians will lose health care coverage because of Medicaid cuts included in the spending bill President Trump signed last week, Gov. Bob Ferguson warned yesterday.

The big picture: Nationwide, the legislation will cut Medicaid funding by an estimated $930 billion over 10 years, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis.

Catch up quick: The new law — which Trump has called the "big, beautiful bill" — also increases immigration enforcement funding and extends tax cuts.

• Among other changes, the legislation will impose new work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

By the numbers: Ferguson's office estimates at least 250,000 Washingtonians will lose Medicaid coverage under the law's provisions.

• Another 150,000 will no longer be able to afford plans on the state insurance exchange, due to the ending of certain federal subsidies, he said.
• Hospitals — both urban and rural — will close due to the loss of Medicaid reimbursements, the Democratic governor said.

What they're saying: "It's difficult to overstate how devastating these cuts will be to Washingtonians," Ferguson told reporters yesterday.

• "They will bring our health care system to the brink and harm people in every corner of our state."

State of play: An analysis by KFF, a health policy research group, estimated the legislation will cause Washington to receive about $41 billion less in federal Medicaid funding over 10 years.

• That's roughly 19% less than the state would have received without the law, the outlet found.

The other side: In an email to Axios, White House spokesperson Kush Desai called the legislation a "historic effort to protect Medicaid for future generations by slashing waste, fraud, and abuse within the program."

What's next

Two wildfires are burning in Western Washington, according to DNR spokesperson Thomas Kyle-Milward, triggering evacuations on the Kitsap Peninsula and closing trails near Olympic National Park.

State of play: The Toonerville fire sparked Level 3 evacuations near Belfair in Mason County yesterday.

• The Bear Gulch fire has closed trails near Lake Cushman as crews contend with challenging terrain.

A mischievous little monster with fangs is America's must-have toy — causing fans of all ages to line up and resale prices to soar.

• Meet Labubu, the spiky-eared collectible from China and star of the "cute horror" boom.

What they're saying: "It's like the Cabbage Patch Kids of yesteryear," Coresight Research CEO Deborah Weinswig tells Axios.

Melissa's thought bubble: The high price tag on some of these dolls is giving me flashbacks to the 1990s, when "stock up on Beanie Babies to put your kids through college" was a real thing.

Tell a friend