Ventura County trails close through Monday following numerous heat-related rescues

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - The County of Ventura announced Saturday afternoon that all remote trails are closing through Monday due to excessive heat. The announcement followed numerous heat-related hiker rescues in the area.

Thousand Oaks, Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Monica Mountains assisted in closing the trails.

High temperatures were forecast for both the Central and South coasts over Labor Day weekend, and Mother Nature delivered.

With temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in some areas of the county, it comes as no surprise that firefighters were braced for heat-related rescues.

Ventura County Fire posted a tweet Saturday morning reminding community members to "avoid becoming a hiking rescue" by leaving their home prepared for the high temperatures.

Roughly five hours later, County Fire sent out another tweet asking residents not to hike after crews had to respond to eight remote rescues over the past few hours.

Firefighters said all eight rescues were caused by people overheating while hiking.

Multiple other hikers had to be driven to safety by firefighters as well.

County Fire shared a video from one remote rescue, showing a hiker being airlifted into a County helicopter.

The announcement that surrounding trails would be closed was made only an hour after firefighters reported the numerous rescues.

The closures are effective immediately and will last through 5 p.m. on Monday.

Affected National Park Service trails include Circle X trails (Sandstone, Mishe Mokwa, Grotto, Canyon View and Backbone) and all trails in Rancho Sierra Vista and Cheeseboro Canyon.

As a reminder, high heat is expected through Labor Day weekend.

All individuals should limit their time outdoors, drink plenty of water and avoid intensive activities in order to protect themselves from heat-related illness.