PACIFIC PALISADES—On Sunday, July 14, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported at 9:32 a.m. near Temescal Fire Rd.
Paramedics have been lowered from LAFD helicopters to assess and treat a 53-year-old male patient in a remote location of Topanga State Park. No additional details about the incident has been disclosed to the public.
By Trevor
PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, July 6, officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department helped rescue a hiker who was injured in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The incident was reported at 3:37 p.m. The LAFD ground and air response assisted a 66-year-old female hiker suffering from exhaustion on the Bienveneda Trail north of Leacock Trail near Topanga State Park.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter lowered a Flight Paramedic to help medically assess and stabilize the patient, whose condition was undetermined.
The patient and LAFD Flight Paramedic was hoisted into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care during direct air transport to an area hospital.
By Trevor
PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, June 22, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that at 11:41 a.m. a hiker had to be rescued at Temescal Ridge Trail near Pacific Palisades.
The LAFD Ground and Air Response to an ill 55-year-old male hiker dehydrated and unable to walk in hot weather near the conclusion of his journey on a remote section of the Temescal Ridge Trail.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter lowered a Flight Paramedic to medically assess and stabilize the patient, who has been hoisted along with the LAFD Flight Paramedic into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care during direct air transport to an area hospital. No additional details about the incident have been reported to the public.
By Trevor
PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, June 15, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported a hiker was rescued in Topanga State Park. Officials were alerted at 11:08 a.m. The LAFD ground and air team responded to a 72-year-old male hiker with head trauma after he fell on a remote section of the Backbone Trail near Rivas Canyon.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter lowered a Flight Paramedic to medically assess and stabilize the patient, who will soon be hoisted along with the LAFD Flight Paramedic into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care during direct air transport to an area hospital.
By Trevor
GRIFFITH PARK—The Los Angeles Fire Department rescued a hiker who was injured in Griffith Park on Wednesday, May 29. The incident was reported to the Fire Department at 11:50 a.m. at 4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
Park rangers on-scene in a remote area of Griffith Park about an injured male hiker, approximately 23 years old, with an ankle injury.
The LAFD’s helicopter crew lowered a paramedic down to the patient, while ground crews made access to the remote location with vehicles capable of navigating Griffith Park’s narrow trails.
Due to steep and difficult terrain, personnel with the LAFD decided to hoist the patient into a helicopter and transport him to a nearby hospital for further treatment. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.
By Trevor
PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, May 18, the Los Angeles Fire Department noted that a hiker was rescued in the Santa Monica Mountains. The LAFD reported at 12:01 p.m. the LAFD Ground and Air Response responded to a 28-year-old female hiker with an apparent ankle fracture, on a remote section of the Temescal Ridge Trail in Topanga State Park.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter lowered a Flight Paramedic to medically assess and stabilize the patient, who be hoisted along with the LAFD Flight Paramedic into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care during direct air transport to an area hospital. No additional details about the incident were reported to the public.
By Trevor
HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Thursday, May 9, the Los Angeles Fire Department disclosed they rescued a hiker in Runyan Canyon. The LAFD were informed at 7:20 p.m. of a hiker who suffered injuries near 2469 N. Solar Drive.
The 35 year-old hiker sustained injuries secondary to a 15-foot fall in a remote area of Runyon Canyon. Crews on the ground and in the air coordinated to locate and assist the patient, who was able to walk down the trail.
He was able to meet an LAFD paramedic ambulance for treatment and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
By Trevor
GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, April 28, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced they rescued a hiker in Griffith Park. Officials were alerted of the hiker needing help at 10:26 a.m. near Hogback Trail.
The LAFD Ground and Air Response with L.A. Park Rangers responded to an adult female hiker with an injured ankle on a remote section of Hogback Trail west of Vista del Valle Drive in Griffith Park.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter lowered a Flight Paramedic to medically assess and stabilize the patient, who was hoisted along with the LAFD Flight Paramedic into the hovering helicopter for continuing in-flight care. The victim was taken to an area hospital for further evaluation via direct air transport. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.
By Trevor
HOLLYWOOD HILLS/GRIFFITH PARK—The Los Angeles Fire Department reported on Sunday, April 21, that they rescued a hiker near the Hollywood sign.
The incident was reported at 8:36 a.m. of 1 female hiker needing assistance near the Hollywood sign. The lone hiker was isolated after suffering from a lower extremity injury in a remote area of the Hollywood Hills.
Rescuers on the ground and LAFD Air Ops coordinated a hoist operation and air transport to a local hospital for the injured hiker. The Los Angeles Fire Department did not have any additional details to report about the incident.
By Trevor
HOLLYWOOD HILLS—The Los Angeles Fire Department announced a hiker was rescued on Sunday, April 14. The LAFD reported the incident transpired at 10:56 a.m. at Nichols Canyon.
The LAFD Ground and Air Response assisted an adult male hiker with an apparent ankle fracture, on the Lower Trebek Trail east of Nichols Canyon Road in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The patient was hoisted aboard a hovering LAFD rescue helicopter in fair condition and will receive continuing in-flight care from LAFD Flight Paramedics during direct helicopter transport to a regional trauma center for treatment. No other details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.
By Trevor
BRENTWOOD/TOPANGA CANYON—A hiker was rescued at Topanga State Park on Sunday, April 14, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported.
The incident was reported at 1:49 p.m. LAFD Ground and Air Response to an adult male hiker with an apparent left knee facture, in remote terrain between Sullivan Fire Road and Rustic Creek in Topanga State Park.
An LAFD Rescue Helicopter was able to locate the hiker and lowered a flight paramedic to medically evaluate and stabilize the 58-year-old man. He was hoisted aboard the hovering helicopter for in-flight care during direct transport to an area hospital to be treated for injuries sustained.
By Trevor
LOS FELIZ/GRIFFITH PARK—On Monday, April 1, the Los Angeles Fire Department indicated that they rescued a hiker north of Mount Hollywood Tunnel in Griffith Park. The incident was reported at 2:48 p.m.
LAFD Ground and Air responded to a 24-year-old female hiker in fair condition with a fractured ankle. The hiker was hoisted aboard a hovering LAFD helicopter.
They were transported to receive in-flight care during direct transport to regional trauma center for injuries sustained. No additional details about the incident were disclosed to the public.
By Trevor
PACIFIC PALISADES—On Sunday, March 31, the Los Angeles Fire Department disclosed that a hiker was rescued. The LAFD reported at 8:08 p.m. a hiker was rescued in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The LAFD ground and air responded to an adult male hiker stranded in darkness on a rain-soaked remote section of Temescal Ridge Trail south of Skull Rock in Topanga State Park.
A hovering LAFD Rescue Helicopter found the man and lowered a Flight Paramedic to perform an initial medical assessment. The hiker indicated he was uninjured. He and the LAFD Flight Paramedic were hoisted aboard the hovering helicopter, to shuttle the victim to a safe location beyond the wilderness.
By Trevor
PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, April 22, a 64 year old man suffering from an ankle injury was airlifted out of a remote portion of Josepho Spur Trail near Pacific Palisades.
Emergency personnel received a 911 call Saturday morning and dispatched an LAFD helicopter to the location. After a short search they were able to find the man on the trail west of Murphy Ranch Stables.
Fire officials lowered a paramedic to the injured man and rendered aid. He was later transported to a nearby hospital.
It is unknown if the hiker was by himself when fire fighters arrived on the scene.
Hiking, backpacking, and camping come with risks. In 2017, 117 people died from hiking, camping, or backpacking accidents in the United States. There are numerous reports of people dying during hiking trips in the Santa Monica Mountains which is where Josepho Spur Trail is located.
In 2020, a 41 year old woman died of heat exhaustion while hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains during a heat wave where temperatures were ranging up to 110 degrees.
The woman was hiking with a friend and began to feel sick, so the pair turned around and headed back toward the car, according to preliminary reports from the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Her friend called paramedics after the woman collapsed. She was later pronounced dead at 2 p.m. that day.
Many hikers may not realize how long or difficult a particular trail is until it’s too late. It is advised that hikers take hikes around the mornings or late afternoons and stick to trails that are less difficult if you are a less experienced hiker.
The Santa Monica Mountains are home to one of the most diverse and unique ecosystems in the world, a Mediterranean-type environment characterized by warm dry summers and wet winters. This geologically active region is marked by alternating canyons and peaks, which characterize many of the trails in the area. The Woolsey Fire burnt vast swaths of the Santa Monica Mountains, with many areas robbed completely of their tree cover and shade which can also pose a danger to hikers.
The National Park Service advises hikers to plan ahead and follow basic safety precautions and are encouraged to recognize and adhere to their own personal limitations. Extra water, food, sun protection, flashlight, map and compass, multipurpose tool, warm clothes, waterproof matches, emergency blanket, and first-aid kit are all essential items hikers should carry with them according to NPS.
By Christianne
GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, January 8, a 20-year-old man fell around 2898 East Observatory Road in Griffith Park and suffered traumatic injuries. It is unknown what led up to the accident.
A 9-1-1 call was received around 3:03 p.m. prompting firefighters to be dispatched to the region.
Fire personnel assessed the scene and determined that an air hoist operation was needed due to the terrain and the injuries. The victim was transported to a hospital to be treated. His condition is unknown.
By Christianne
GRIFFITH PARK—A hiker was rescued in Griffith Park on Sunday, January 2 after getting injured. Firefighters and Park Rangers located an adult female hiker with a non-life threatening injury at 2899 E Observatory Rd.
LAFD Air Ops utilized a hoist operation and hospital transport for the victim. The initial 9-1-1 call was received at 12:09 p.m. No further details about the incident has been disclosed to the public.
BRENTWOOD—On Saturday, July 31, at approximately 8:27 a.m., firefighters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the 2600 block of North Westridge Road in Brentwood for a mountain biker rescue.
“A 37-year-old male mountain biker sustained traumatic injuries in a remote area of Mandeville Canyon,” LAFD spokesman Nicholas Prange said in an official announcement.
LAFD Air Ops lowered a firefighter-paramedic rescuer to provide treatment and prepared the patient for a hoist operation. The LAFD air ambulance transported the patient to a local trauma center for further care.
The condition of the patient was not immediately known at the time of transport.
By Danielle