A group of young hikers are safe and sound after they were reported missing near a California wildfire last weekend.
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The Placer County Sheriff’s Office revealed that a group of 13 hikers, ages ranging from 16 to 20, went missing in the Tahoe National Forest in the evening hours on Sunday, July 7.
The California sheriff’s office found the young hikers the next day. The same night the hikers went missing, the Royal wildfire broke out. “Our helicopter, Falcon 30, located a group of 13 hikers who were unaccounted for throughout the night,” the sheriff’s office revealed.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office revealed that deputies and fire officials located the hikers’ vehicles during checks near the Royal wildfire.
“Deputies were able to get in touch with family members who confirmed the group planned to hike and camp along Palisades Creek trail,” the statement continued. “Which is made up of steep and difficult terrain. The group…was located approximately two miles away from the fire.”
The young hikers reportedly lost their way while in the California wildfire zone. They decided to set up camp overnight. Placer County Sheriff officials conducted both ground and air searches. The hikers were discovered at 7:20 a.m. local time.
All the hikers were deemed “okay,” but the officials didn’t share any other details.
California Royal Wildfire Continues to Burn After Officials Find Missing Hikers
Following the hikers incident, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a separate post that the California Royal wildfire continues to burn. So far, 170 acres have been burned and at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 8, the containment was at 0%. An evening post updated the acreage from 170 to 154. However, the containment remained at 0%
“There are 300 personnel assigned to the fire,” the update reads. “The fire remains relatively far away from populated areas. An evacuation warning remains in effect for the Cedars, but the fire is still far from that area. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office will give plenty of notification if additional evacuation warnings are needed or if there is a need to issue evacuation orders.”
Officials also stated a warning remains for the Cedars area, no additional evacuation warnings or orders were issued.
The U.S. Forest Service-Tahoe National Forest also released an update. “The fire has continued to hold within its footprint throughout the day. Tankers have boxed the fire in with retardant. Three Type 1 helicopters have been performing water drops throughout the day. Crews have gained access to the incident and constructed handline across the head.”
The Tahoe National Forest is located northwest of Lake Tahoe. It spans multiple counties, including Placer, Nevada, Sieraa, and Yuba.