Hikers rescued by helicopter after woman collapses from dehydration near Salton Sea

By Leticia Juárez

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) — A day of hiking ended with a spectacular rescue by a search and rescue team from the Riverside County Sheriff's Aviation Office.

“One of the hikers, a female hiker, was down, appeared dehydrated and they were at the bottom of the canyon and needed help.” Deputy Manny Romero said.

Romero was co-piloting the Airbus H41-45 helicopter around 5 p.m. Sunday when they were called after the woman's boyfriend contacted 911.

The couple was hiking in an area known as Painted Canyon near the Salton Sea.

“We usually get calls out there this time of year due to the excessive heat, probably at least twice a week,” Deputy Romero said.

The rescue team hoisted the boyfriend up first, followed by the victim who was semi-conscious. She was eventually taken to a nearby hospital.

The temperature in the area at that time had reached triple digits, which overwhelmed the couple who had run out of water.

“Typically, for every hour of hiking, you want to have about a gallon of water,” Romero said.

This warning comes as inland temperatures will reach 100°C in some regions.

Warm weather has firefighters preparing for wildfires after heavy winter rains produced a bumper crop of lush vegetation.

“Unfortunately, this vegetation will soon dry out and fuel wildfires,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

Firefighters from across the region came together to give their perspectives on potential wildfires and how best to respond.

“If there were to be another Woolsey Fire – something that requires hundreds of engines right now – the agencies have agreed via phone call, fire chief to fire chief, that we will send all resources we need and will have them on the road in minutes,” said Chief Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority.

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