Truckee Avalanche 12345

A catastrophic avalanche struck the Castle Peak area near Truckee, California, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, engulfing a group of sixteen individuals, including four mountain guides and twelve recreational skiers. Six survived, while ten remain missing. Search and rescue teams are operating in severe winter conditions. The incident has sparked renewed national debate about avalanche preparedness, backcountry safety regulations, and emergency response systems.