A rattlesnake bit a woman hiking the Long Canyon Trail in the Wood Ranch area of Simi Valley on Thursday afternoon, and she was airlifted to a nearby hospital in stable condition. The scare comes amid a run of snake bite calls across Ventura County that has officials again urging hikers to take it slow and keep their eyes on the ground.
Rescue and response
The Ventura County Fire Department reports that crews on the ground and in the air responded after the woman was struck, and that she was flown to a local hospital in stable condition, according to CBS Los Angeles. Officials have not released the hiker’s name or other identifying details. Emergency teams are continuing to keep a close eye on trail activity in the Wood Ranch and Long Canyon areas.
Cluster of bites in Ventura County
County firefighters say this is the seventh rattlesnake bite reported in Ventura County since mid March, a tally that has triggered fresh public warnings. That number, and the renewed advisory, were reported by KCLU. Fire officials are asking hikers to stick to marked paths and follow basic precautions that cut down the chances of a close encounter.
Heat and early season activity
Wildlife and public safety officials say an unusually warm winter combined with recent heatwaves has rattlesnakes out earlier than normal this year, which raises the odds of meeting one on a trail, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Times also notes two recent fatal bites in the region earlier this spring, one in Ventura County and one in Orange County, a reminder that although severe outcomes are rare, they do happen. The U.S. Forest Service has likewise warned visitors to stay alert, watch where they step and keep pets close.
How to stay safe on trails
Federal guidance and park officials recommend staying on clear, established trails, wearing boots or long pants, and looking carefully before stepping over rocks or logs, according to the U.S. Forest Service safety page. The Forest Service also advises that if someone is bitten you should call 911, keep the victim still with the injured limb low, and avoid using a tourniquet or trying to remove venom, since those moves can make injuries worse. For more details, see the U.S. Forest Service guidance. Carrying a charged phone and letting someone know your route can help rescuers reach you faster if something goes wrong.
Where this fits locally
Local outlets have documented a series of encounters across Ventura County in recent weeks, from Newbury Park to Camarillo, and residents say the warnings feel timely as the warm weather holds. For background on earlier local incidents, see coverage of the Newbury Park rattler bite.
As temperatures stay high, officials say the simplest habits, such as staying on marked trails, wearing sturdy footwear and keeping phones charged, remain the most reliable way to lower the risk. Hikers with questions about specific preserves are urged to check official park and forest social media feeds or county advisories before heading out.
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