In a race against time, authorities have launched a search and rescue operation for a group of 13 hikers who disappeared within the Royal Fire zone in Placer County, California. The hikers, aged between 16 and 20, were camping near the Palisades Creek trailhead when the fire broke out, forcing evacuation warnings in the area.

The Placers County Sheriff's Office discovered four vehicles belonging to the missing hikers, prompting concerns for their safety. Ty Conners, a representative from the sheriff's office, revealed that attempts to contact the group were unsuccessful. To aid in the search efforts, officials deployed aircraft equipped with night and heat vision on Sunday night. A California Highway Patrol helicopter and a Placer County helicopter have also joined the search operation.

The hikers had planned to camp on the opposite side of the burn area, but tragically, the trailhead was engulfed in flames. Authorities are now focusing on intercepting the group as they potentially head south from Cascade Lakes since the northbound trail terminates there.

The Royal Fire, which started on Sunday in the Tahoe National Forest near Soda Springs Road in western Placer County, has already burned 169 acres. As of now, the fire remains uncontained, with no established perimeter to prevent further spread. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, according to the Tahoe National Forest.

In the midst of this crisis, five homes have been issued evacuation warnings as a precautionary measure. Residents in these homes have not been mandated to leave but are strongly advised to do so in case fire conditions escalate. Initially, smoke from the fire was visible from Interstate 80, although as of Monday, it has subsided, leaving only a slight haze.

Authorities are urging the public to stay informed and vigilant during this wildfire season. Key websites such as Cal Fire's wildfire incidents tracker and Federal wildfire incidents tracker can provide real-time updates on active fires. Citizens can also sign up for text message alerts to receive updates specific to their ZIP codes. Additionally, it is crucial to be prepared for power outages and to stay informed about road closures, using resources such as Ready.gov and Caltrans' QuickMap app.

As efforts continue to locate the missing hikers and contain the Royal Fire, the community remains united in the hope for their safe return and for the swift resolution of the ongoing forest fire.