Daily Mail reported that thirteen young hikers trapped by the burgeoning Royal Fire in California's Tahoe National Forest were found safe.

The intense search efforts for the missing hikers amidst the wildfire culminated successfully early Monday morning.

The ordeal began on Sunday evening when the wildfire, later named the Royal Fire, ignited rapidly in the Tahoe National Forest. Conditions deteriorated quickly, leading to a sprawling inferno that would soon cover 168 acres.

Officials have traced the origin of the Royal Fire to an unattended campfire that escaped control.

As the flames spread, four vehicles were discovered abandoned near the Palisades Creek Trail—a discovery that pushed local authorities into action.

By Sunday night, the imminent threat had escalated, prompting the Placer County Sheriff's Department to dispatch search and rescue teams, supported by helicopters, to locate the missing hikers.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement emphasizing their commitment, "Our helicopter will also be up searching. We'll continue to update as the search continues."

By 6:30 am on Monday, the search operation was fully underway. Helicopters battled through smoke-heavy skies to pinpoint the location of the young group, who ranged in age between 16 and 20 years.

Finally, at 7:20 am, success was reported as the sheriff's office helicopter spotted the hikers. The office promptly announced that "Search and rescue crews will be inserted to hike out with them," ensuring a safe extraction from the perilous surroundings.

Meanwhile, an extensive evacuation order was issued to residents within a 22,000-acre area in Placer County, highlighting the severity of the situation with the Royal Fire continuing to rage uncontrollably.

The Royal Fire was not California's only wildfire challenge at the time. The Lake Fire in Los Padres National Forest and the Thompson Fire near Sacramento both erupted, further stretching firefighting resources across the state.

The Thompson Fire, which ignited on Tuesday before noon, complicated the statewide response efforts, further highlighting the extreme wildfire conditions prevalent in the region during the season.

The story of the 13 young hikers who went missing in the heart of a raging wildfire in California underscores the perils of venturing into areas prone to such natural disasters.

It emphasizes the critical importance of preparedness, caution, and heeding warnings from authorities when exploring wilderness areas. The successful rescue mission mounted by the Placer County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team highlights the vital role played by emergency services in saving lives during such crises.

Furthermore, this incident draws attention to the larger issue of wildfires erupting across California, devastating vast swathes of land and triggering evacuations in numerous communities.

Conclusion

Thirteen young hikers found themselves trapped and missing amid a raging wildfire in California's Tahoe National Forest. The group, aged between 16 and 20, had ventured into the area intending to camp but became engulfed by the rapidly spreading flames.

A desperate search ensued, with the Placer County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team and a helicopter scouring the smoke-filled terrain.

Miraculously, at around 7:20 am on Monday, the missing hikers were located alive by the sheriff's helicopter. The rescue team was then deployed to guide them to safety from the inferno that had already charred 5,000 acres.