A hike through a remote Southern California trail turned terrifying when a woman was bitten by a rattlesnake and had to be airlifted to safety — the latest in a sharp spike of venomous attacks across Ventura County.
The woman was hiking Long Canyon Trail in Simi Valley’s Wood Ranch neighborhood Thursday when she was struck by the snake, marking the county’s seventh rattlesnake bite victim in just over a month.
She was airlifted from the rugged trail to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where she received anti-venom treatment, KTLA reported.
“We want to be prepared for all contingencies, and we want the public to be prepared as well,” Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd told the outlet.
The alarming spike in snake encounters comes as warmer weather lures more hikers outdoors and increases rattlesnake activity across Southern California.
Though rattlesnakes are generally shy, their bites can trigger a life-threatening medical emergency—causing excruciating pain, permanent injury, and, in rare cases, death.
Three people across California have died from snake bites in a string of fatal encounters, including a 78-year-old woman who was killed earlier this month after being bitten three times while walking on rural property in Redwood Valley.
Experts say rattlesnake season is now fully underway, with the reptiles emerging from winter dormancy between April and September.
Officials are urging outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions by wearing long pants, boots, and gaiters, steering clear of tall grass and brush, and sticking to designated trails.
If bitten, authorities say victims should remain calm, call 911 immediately, and seek emergency medical treatment.
Experts also warned against dangerous snakebite myths, including sucking out venom, applying ice, or using a tourniquet.
