Ventura County is seeing a dangerous spike in rattlesnake activity, with a seventh bite reported just yesterday.
Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) crews, including air and ground units, were dispatched to the Long Canyon Trail in Simi Valley’s Wood Ranch community on Thursday, April 30, after a woman was struck while hiking. She was airlifted to Los Robles Regional Medical Center for anti-venom treatment and is currently in stable condition.
This latest incident marks the seventh bite in our region in just over 30 days—a massive uptick compared to last year's total of only nine bites for the entire season.
VCFD Public Information Officer Andrew Dowd notes that unseasonably high temperatures, reaching into the 80s and 90s, have triggered an early emergence of snakes.
While many recent victims in Thousand Oaks and near CSU Channel Islands have survived, the season has already turned tragic; Gabriela Bautista, 46, passed away in March after being bitten while hiking in Wildwood Regional Park.
**TRAIL SAFETY CHECKLIST
If you’re heading out to the trails this weekend, the VCFD urges you to follow these protocols:
- Stay on Marked Paths: Avoid tall grass, brush, and rocky outcrops where snakes sunbathe.
- Dress the Part: Wear long pants, sturdy boots, and gaiters to provide a physical barrier.
- Keep Distance: Most bites occur when people try to handle or kill the snake. If you see one, back away slowly.
- Watch Your Step: Snakes are currently sunning themselves in high-traffic areas due to the heat wave.