Five people who got stranded in the Los Padres National Forest by the recent storms are okay after being rescued, but they are also in trouble for going into a restricted area.
The five people took a pair of Jeeps into a backcountry area near Alamo Mountain, in Ventura County. Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies say they illegally entered the area by driving around two different locked gates.
The Jeeps got stuck in about three feet of snow. Fortunately, the group still had cell service and was able to call for help, and deputies were able to drive to within a mile of the group. They then hiked in and led the five people out to safety.
No one was hurt in Sunday’s incident.
The case has been turned over to the U.S. Forest Service for possible prosecution, because the trespassers forced a rescue under hazardous conditions.