Search crews find group of 13 hikers missing within Royal Fire zone in Placer County
PLACER COUNTY – Authorities were looking for a group of hikers missing within the fire zone of a Northern California wildfire that erupted over the weekend.
The Royal Fire started Sunday evening in the Tahoe National Forest. As of Monday, officials said the fire had grown to 168 acres.
Officials with the Tahoe National Forest believe the fire started as an escaped campfire.
Monday morning, the Placer County Sheriff's Office announced that they believe there are 13 missing hikers in within the fire zone. The hikers ranged in age from 16-20 and were believed to be together.
Deputies say they found four unoccupied vehicles on Sunday near the Palisades Creek Trail. They believe the hikers planned to go camping on the other side of where the fire erupted.
A search and rescue crew, along with a Placer County Sheriff helicopter, was out searching on Monday morning.
Hikers Located𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳’𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 Our helicopter, Falcon 30, located a group of 13 hikers who were unaccounted for throughout the night. Their vehicles were located by deputies and fire officials doing checks near the Royal fire on the evening it broke out (7/7/24). Deputies were able to get in touch with family members who confirmed the group planned to hike and camp along Palisades Creek trail, which is made up of steep and difficult terrain. The group, which ranges in age from 16-20, was located approximately two miles away from the fire. They set up camp along the trail overnight. They are all okay. Two members of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team were dropped into the area by Falcon 30. They will hike out with the group, away from the fire. Great, quick work by our Falcon 30 crew in locating the group and huge thank you to our Search and Rescue volunteers for coming out early, ready to help.
Posted by Placer County Sheriff's Office on Monday, July 8, 2024
Around 7:20 a.m. Monday, the sheriff's office announced that their helicopter had located the missing group. A search and rescue team is now going to hike out with them.
The Royal Fire is burning in a remote area known as the Royal Gorge. Still, five homes on Soda Springs Road have been given evacuation warnings.