13 Young Hikers Found After Disappearing Near California Wildfire

The hikers were said to range in age from 16-20 and lost their way while in the fire zone and “set up camp along the trail overnight,” local authorities said

Local authorities have located 13 hikers who disappeared near the site of a massive California wildfire that currently spans at least 54 acres.

On Monday, July 8, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office posted an update that the group of hikers at the Tahoe National Forest, who had been missing since the evening of July 7, were found via helicopter search following the Royal Fire that broke out in the Royal Gorge area.

“Our helicopter, Falcon 30, located a group of 13 hikers who were unaccounted for throughout the night,” the post read.

The post continued, “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…was located approximately two miles away from the fire.”

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The Placer County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The hikers were said to range in age from 16-20 and lost their way while in the fire zone and “set up camp along the trail overnight.” The post said all of the hikers were "okay" but did not specify on their condition further.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue conducted both ground and air searches before the group was finally located at 7:20 a.m. local time, according to the post.

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Following the rescue of the hikers, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office provided the latest details regarding the fire.

“The Royal Fire continues to burn in very remote terrain. Latest mapping shows acreage at 170 acres. There are 300 personnel assigned to the fire. 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 update read.

“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,” the update continued, and advised that another update on the spread and current condition of the fire would be provided on Monday afternoon.

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Tahoe National Forest, which is northwest of Lake Tahoe, covers portions of multiple counties, including Sierra, Placer, Nevada and Yuba.

Currently, local authorities do not have a cause for the Royal Fire and an investigation is still underway.

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