OC fire crews battle strong Santa Ana winds during high-risk rescue in Cleveland National Forest

SILVERADO, Calif. (KABC) -- The Orange County Fire Authority Air Operations Team battled the strong Santa Ana winds over the weekend to conduct a high-risk rescue in the Cleveland National Forest utilizing one of the department's new Firehawk helicopters.

Crews responded to Black Star Falls just before 2 p.m. Saturday after someone "suffered a significant fall," according to the OCFA.

The pilot of one of the O.C. Fire Authority's new Firehawk helicopters is credited with showing incredible skill in the face of extreme wind conditions to lower rescue medics to the victim.

Video from the scene shows the helicopter hoisting a medic and a patient back up to the chopper.

"The mission didn't end there. While airborne, our crews provided critical, lifesaving medical care," the OCFA said on X.

The patient was taken to a local trauma center in critical condition.

No further details were immediately known.