A Ventura County woman has become the second to die recently from a rattlesnake bite on a Southern California hiking trail during an unusually active period of snake attacks and unseasonably warm weather. The Ventura County Fire Department has received four reports of rattlesnake bites since March 14, according to department spokesperson Andrew Dowd. The department responded to a call for a bite on a hiking trail at Wildwood Park just before noon on March 14. In the event of a rattlesnake bite, Dowd reminds hikers to remain calm, call 911 and try to limit movement. AdvertisementDespite the two recent fatalities, death by rattlesnake bite remains rare in the United States.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 26, 2026 11:46 UTC