Riverside County firefighters and Sheriff’s deputies were called out twice on Sunday, Feb. 28 to rescue injured hikers in the Cleveland National Forest. 

The first call came at 10:33 a.m. sending first responders to the Tenaja Falls trail. This trail is west of the La Cresta community near Murrieta, north of the Santa Rosa Plateau.

A male hiker sustained a lower extremity injury while hiking and had to be airlifted out of the area. The Sheriff’s department helicopter rescued the hiker delivering him to an awaiting ambulance.

At 11:53 a.m. the Riverside County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service were called to rescue a second hiker who was bitten by a rattle snake.

It was reported the fireman had to hike to an area two miles off the San Juan Loop trail. This trail is a couple miles west of Lake Elsinore in the Cleveland National Forest. The hiker was hospitalized to be treated for his snakebite.

Hikers are advised to stay alert for snakes are known to lay on trails in warmer weather seeking heat from the sun. Park rangers also advise to not poke sticks in holes along the trails and to stay on the trails.