Three hikers rescued after heavy rains and snow melt made creeks too dangerous to cross. Sounds like searchers could not get a very good fix on their PLB position due to the terrain and the hikers used a flare to signal the rescue helicopter.

There is some input from one of the hikers in this thread:
http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40718&whichpage=1

Some helmet cam video from one of the search and rescue staff:
http://www.northshorerescue.com/2011/08/3-stranded-hikers-rescued-by-nsr-hfrs-team/

Edited to add some other reports with a few more details:
https://www.coquitlam-sar.bc.ca/2011/08/debeck-creek-2011-search-report/

http://blog.oplopanax.ca/2011/08/personal-locator-beacons-from-rescuers.html