Firefighters Attempt Dog Rescue Amid Flooding Santa Ana River

NORCO, CA — Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters sent their swift water rescue team on reports of a stranded dog near Norco and Jurupa Valley, a spokesperson for the agency said.

Then, despite a significant firefighter response to get the little guy, the dog self-rescued, Maggie Cline De La Rosa told Patch.

"He rescued himself and ran away, "

On Wednesday midday, concerned passersby noticed the dog on a spit of land in the Santa Ana River bed near Etiwanda Avenue and 66th Street. They notified Animal Services, which called in experts for support.

Cal Fire sent two engines to support the dog rescue and the Swift Water Rescue Team. A rescue boat was also requested if they had difficulty reaching the dog.

Spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa told Patch that the plan was to walk the dog through the water if it was safe; otherwise, they would use the boat.

However, the dog had other ideas.

As firefighters arrived and made their plan to reach the dog, it scrambled out of the drainage and ran away, rescuing itself.

Firefighters from Engine 16 in Pedley, Truck 17, Engine 17, Squad 17 - Swift Water Rescue Task Force out of Mira Loma, and Engine 27 out of Eastvale all pitched in to assist with the rescue effort and expressed they were grateful the guy didn't fall into the swift-moving water.

During a week of storms, Jurupa Valley remained under a National Weather Service Flood Watch until Thursday at 6 p.m. The city has ordered residents to "not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters."