A hiker who was stranded by rising water in the Santa Ynez River was airlifted to safety on Saturday, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The stream reportedly had risen about a foot due to overnight rainfall, making it impossible for the hiker to ford the river at the first crossing on Paradise Road in Los Padres National Forest.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel were dispatched shortly after 8:35 a.m., and determined that a helicopter was the best bet to rescue the man, said fire Engineer Mike Gray.

County Copter 308 responded and picked up the hiker, whose name was not available.

The man reportedly was cold but otherwise uninjured, Gray said.