Hiker Search: Cigarette Butts Found

Two hikers who have been lost in the Cleveland National Forest since Easter still have not been found by authorities, but possible evidence of their presence has been discovered.

Kyndall Jack, 18, and Nicholas Cendoya, 19, both of Costa Mesa, made a 9-1-1 call Sunday evening, about 8:25. Cendoya told the operator they were lost, they believed about a mile from their vehicle. Jack could be heard in the background.

Capt. Jon Muir of the Orange County Fire Authority said Wednesday that search and rescue teams found cigarette butts matching the type Jack smokes but were awaiting DNA confirmation they were hers. Both hikers smoke, he said.

"There’s no evidence to support they’re not in this area, or that it's a hoax or foul play," Muir said of the search in Trabuco and Holy Jim canyons. "They were fit individuals with no medical conditions, no restrictive medication, no allergies, in relatively good shape with good running shoes. We’re optimistic and will continue the effort."

Although the couple may have been without food and water since Sunday night, "it's not unrealistic someone could survive this long or longer," Muir said.

Three helicopters were conducting an aerial search Wednesday, and a fourth was on standby at Fullerton Airport, Muir said, "waiting in anticipation when we find them to take them to the hospital."

OCFA Fire Crew 1, which works out of Station 18 in Trabuco Canyon, was on the ground cutting through brush in the wilderness and is likely to play a key role in the eventual rescue of the Costa Mesa couple.

"There are 20 members in four separate groups who specialize in cutting brush and search and rescue," said Muir, who indicated other ground crews had been dropped into the area but did not have the equipment necessary to do the same as Crew 1. "They're getting into the area the helicopters couldn't see. They're very familiar with the trails and area. ... They're covering strategically placed areas based on credible information."

About 65 rescuers are involved in the search in the rugged terrain.

A bloodhound picked up a scent Monday, and search efforts continued through the night Tuesday. The search has included sheriff's deputies from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties.

On Tuesday, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District released a statement saying Kyndall Jack's mother, Dawn, works at Corona del Mar High School.

"N-MUSD wishes to extend its support to the families and the search efforts for a quick and safe return of Kyndall and Nicholas," the statement read.   

A Facebook page called Costa Mesa Search Party has been created to coordinate civilian rides to the trailhead to help search for the hikers.