Crews rescuing a hiker bitten by a rattlesnake Saturday morning on the Romero Canyon Trail above Montecito spotted a bear nearby, prompting reminders about wildlife also taking advantage of the sunny weather.

At 9:10 a.m. Saturday, Montecito Fire Protection Department personnel were dispatched to the incident in Los Padres National Forest, about 1½ miles from the Romero Canyon trailhead. 

A 26-year-old woman was hiking with her dog when she was bitten by a rattlesnake on her foot, according to Montecito firefighters.

The Santa Barbara County sheriff’s Air Support Unit Copter 308 also responded and hoisted the hiker from the remote location.

She was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital about an hour after the initial call for help. Her identity was not released and details on her condition were not available.

The woman’s dog was unhurt, and Montecito firefighters hiked down the trail with it and turned it over to county Animal Services, which will reunite the pair.

During the rescue, firefighters spotted a bear on an adjacent trail, prompting reminders that humans aren’t the only local locals enjoying the spring weather after a lengthy rainy season.

“Bear sightings have been increasingly frequent in our community in recent weeks,” the Montecito Fire Protection District said in an advisory.

“As the weather warms up, wildlife is coming out. Please use caution while hiking and be hyper vigilant of your surroundings.”