A group of 13 hikers, aged between 16 and 20, were reported missing in the midst of a wildfire in Tahoe National Forest, California. The hikers had been hiking in the area when the fire broke out, and they were unable to contact anyone due to the remote location.

Placer County sheriff's deputies found four cars parked within the Royal Fire zone on Monday. A ground and air search was launched to locate the missing hikers, and officials checked campsites and trail heads in the area.

Two search and rescue crew members were dropped into the area by helicopter, and they were able to lead the hikers out of the fire zone and to safety. The hikers were unharmed and "in good spirits."

The Royal Fire had grown to around 154 acres as of Monday evening. It is one of several huge wildfires currently spreading through California, fueled by a long-running heatwave. The biggest fire is the Lake Fire in Santa Barbara, covering more than 26,000 acres with just 12 per cent contained.