Montecito fire crews said they found the woman three-quarters of a mile up the Buena Vista Trail on Sunday afternoon after she was bitten on the ankle. They added that first responders located the woman after dispatchers instructed her to blow her whistle repeatedly.
She did not have adequate cell service to call 911, but texted a loved one who was able to contact emergency services.
The woman was sent to the hospital, and at this point, her condition is unknown.
This comes amid a rise in rattlesnake bites in Southern California this year.
RELATED: 25-year-old dies weeks after rattlesnake bite in Irvine; family demands answers
25-year-old dies weeks after rattlesnake bite in Irvine; family demands answers
In February, a 25-year-old Costa Mesa man died following a rattlesnake bite he suffered while mountain biking in Irvine.
Julian Hernandez was riding at the Quail Hill Trail in Irvine on Feb. 1 when he stopped near the Quail Hill Community Center to wait for a friend, according to the Irvine Police Department. He was reportedly bitten after he lost his balance.
He was rushed to the hospital but died a month later on March 4, officials said.
Then, a 46-year-old woman from Moorpark died after she was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking at Wildwood Regional Park on March 14.
READ MORE: 2nd deadly rattlesnake bite reported on SoCal trail. Here's what you need to know
2nd deadly rattlesnake bite reported on SoCal trail. Here's what you need to know
Here are some things to keep in mind before your trek into nature:
- Stay on marked trails and don't venture into high grass, where you might run into a rattlesnake.
- Pay attention to your surroundings, and if you see a rattlesnake, take a few steps back to get out of striking distance.
- Keep dogs on a leash.
If you are bitten:
- Stay calm and call 911.
- Don't try to suck out the venom.
- Don't apply restrictive bands or tourniquets.
- Don't pack the bite area with ice.
- Lay still as much as possible until help arrives.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California is home to seven species of rattlesnakes.
Rattlesnakes typically avoid people and bites are considered rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that out of the 7-8,000 venomous snake bites in the U.S. each year, only five people die.