An armored truck crosses the bridge at Lake Shasta on Thursday, July 16, 2026, to provide support in a reported hostage situation near Mount Shasta.
An armored truck crosses the bridge at Lake Shasta on Thursday, July 16, 2026, to provide support in a reported hostage situation near Mount Shasta.Courtesy of Brianne Stanley
Two U.S. Forest Service workers were kidnapped in a remote area of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, according to the Department of Justice, and an hourslong law enforcement response involving local, state and federal agencies ended with the hostages being recovered safely Friday morning, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to SFGATE.
According to a DOJ news release, suspects in the kidnapping of the workers have been arrested.
Article continues below this ad
The hostage situation unfolded in the remote Gumboot Lake area of Siskiyou County and led to the area being closed to the public after the standoff.
Armored trucks make their way across the bridge at Lake Shasta on July 16, 2026.
Armored trucks make their way across the bridge at Lake Shasta on July 16, 2026.Courtesy of Brianne Stanley
“The hostages are OK,” a spokesperson with the sheriff’s office told SFGATE. The sheriff’s office did not immediately identify the hostages, say how many people were involved or describe the circumstances leading up to the standoff.
The U.S. Forest Service also confirmed an active law enforcement incident in the area.
Article continues below this ad
Police vehicles speed down the highway at Lake Shasta on July 16, 2026.
Police vehicles speed down the highway at Lake Shasta on July 16, 2026.Courtesy of Brianne Stanley
“The Forest Service was aware of an ongoing law enforcement incident on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest at Gumboot Lake,” Thomas Stokesberry, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest, told SFGATE. “Forest Service law enforcement is working closely with the federal, state and county law enforcement officials.”
image
Stay informed, and entertained.
By signing up, you agree to ourTerms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in ourPrivacy Policy.
Shop the SFGATE Store — t-shirts, hats, tote bags, stickers
Stokesberry asked the public to avoid the area where the hostage situation occurred and said the closure remained in effect Friday.
Article continues below this ad
This breaking news story has been updated.
More News
July 17, 2026|Updated July 17, 2026 12:36 p.m.
Photo of Olivia Hebert
News Reporter
Olivia Hebert is a news reporter at SFGATE, where she covers the Bay Area and beyond. Her reporting focuses on the stories shaping California and the Wild West, from natural disasters and infectious diseases to public safety, government accountability and corruption. Before joining SFGATE, she was a West Coast reporter for The Independent. For story outreach or tips, you can reach her at olivia.hebert@sfgate.com.