LAFD Launches Helicopters For Lost Hiker

The Los Angeles Fire Department received a call from a lost hiker at about 4:48 p.m. Wednesday. The hiker, an adult male, got lost while hiking near Mulholland Drive and Temescal Canyon Fire Road, according to the LAFD.

LAFD spokesman David Ortiz said firefighters located the hiker at Rogers Fire Road and Backbone Trail in Pacific Palisades at about 6:35 p.m.

Ortiz told Patch that 30 firefighters and two helicopters had been dispatched to find the hiker. Ortiz told Patch that the hiker had a cellphone, but his battery had died. The hiker, luckily, had a back-up battery, but that had also died.

Ortiz told Patch that the hiker began his hike at Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon and may have been hiking alone. There was also a language barrier, which made communication a bit difficult, said Ortiz.

The hiker did not report any major injuries, just a few scrapes, according to the LAFD.

"You have to have a hiking partner, just like when you scuba dive," said Ortiz. "If you get hurt, they can go get help."

Ortiz also said hikers should always carry a cellphone, or some way to communicate in case he or she gets lost. He also suggested that hikers plan their activities for daylight hours.

"Once it gets dark the terrain changes," said Ortiz.

Ortiz also pointed Patch to a hiking safety page for more information.